THE STONE-CHAT. * 293 



waste, in quest of unappropriated bushes; and as there is 

 little to call them out till the season of song, it is probable 

 that the individuals living apart under their bushes are more 

 numerous than, from the few that are seen, one would be 

 led to suppose. Their safety is in the bush, as well as 

 their food, and they fly in, instead of out, when they are 

 alarmed. 



From the figure at page 282, which represents the male in 

 summer plumage, one-third of the lineal dimensions, it will 

 be seen that the stone-chat is a very beautiful bird, compact 

 in its form, and rich, though not gaudy, in its plumage. In 

 winter, the orange-brown on the under part is less bright, 

 and the feathers on the head and neck are partially mottled 

 with brownish-yellow; these appear to be decaying feathers, 

 which drop off, and are replaced by pure black ones. The 

 spring moult of our hill birds is seldom anything more than 

 that portion of their old coat, which remains for additional 

 warmth in the winter, and which answers the purpose better 

 from being dry and nearly dead. Dead hairs and feathers 

 are much worse conductors of heat than live ones; the case 

 of house birds does not apply here. The female has the 

 whole of the upper part brown, and the under part pale 

 brown, with no white on the rump ; and that on the wings 

 and sides of the neck much smaller and less distinct than in 

 the male. 



In early spring, these are very delightful birds. The furze 

 brakes are mostly upon the southern slopes, and above the 

 light fogs and exhalations of the spring; so that they are 

 among the first places on which the sun of the young year 

 shines out. The green and gold of the furze itself are ex- 

 ceedingly gay and cheering, and the scent of it breathes a 

 vernal exhilaration which never tires. The black, white, 

 and brown, of the little bird contrast beautifully with the 

 colours of the furze, as he sits on the topmost and luxurious 



