On Moorlands and Roughs. 5 1 



formed in April and May. In the Highlands the 

 birds nest later than in Yorkshire, but not much, for 

 we have seen flocks of young birds strong on the 

 wing in Scotland in June. The moorlands are 

 finally deserted for the winter during September and 

 October a vertical migration as interesting, if not 

 so extensive, as the Swallows' flight to Africa. A 

 passing glance should also be given at the Wheatear. 

 This bird is by no means confined to the moors, yet 

 it is very characteristic of many parts of them, espe- 

 cially in the far north. In Yorkshire it is by no 

 means uncommon about the old quarries and pits on 

 the moors; farther north it becomes more numerous, 

 although scarcely attached to the heather in the same 

 way as the Twite. Like its congeners it is a dweller 

 among the stones, a trait which has not escaped the 

 notice of the Highland peasants, who call the Wheat- 

 ear a "Clacharan", a "Stone-clatter", or a " Little 

 Mason". This may possibly be because his note 

 resembles the clicking noise made by two pebbles 

 struck together, as well as from his propensity for 

 the rocks and stones. On the Scottish moorlands 

 we have found this bird specially common about the 

 peat-pits and stacks, and in these latter we have often 

 found its nest a somewhat untidy structure made of 

 dry grass and sometimes lined with hair and feathers, 

 usually containing five or six pale-blue eggs. The 

 migrations of the Wheatear must be performed very 



