WHINCHAT 55 



(Saxicolaand Pratincola) the fallowchat, stonechat, and whinchat 

 the last -named is the least striking, whether in appearance or habits. 

 His modest plumage has neither brightness nor strongly contrasted 

 colours ; and although he is a frequenter of furze-grown commons, 

 and named on this account furzechat, or whinchat, he is not, like the 

 stonechat, restricted to them. He inhabits both wild and cultivated 

 grounds, rough commons and waste lands, mountain- sides, and 

 meadows and grass fields divided by hedgerows. He roosts, 

 breeds, and obtains most of his food on the ground ; but he loves to 

 perch on bushes and low trees, and in most open situations where 

 these grow the whinchat may be met with. On his arrival in April 

 he feeds very much on the fallows, but later, in May, forsakes 

 them for the neighbouring grass fields, where he makes his nest. He 

 is commonly seen perched on the summit of a bush, low tree, or 

 hedgerow, and, like the stonechat, he makes frequent short excursions 

 in pursuit of flying insects. When approached he grows restless on 

 his perch, fans his tail at intervals, and frequently utters his low 

 call or alarm note; then flies away, to perch again at a short 

 distance from the intruder, and flies and perches again, and finally 

 doubles back and returns to the first t*pot. Besides the insects he 

 catches flying, he feeds on small beetles, grubs, worms, &c., found 

 about the roots of the grass. He is frequently seen fluttering 

 close to the surface of the tall grass, picking small insects from the 

 leaves, and is most active in seeking his food during the evening 

 twilight. 



The whinchat's low warbling song, which has some resemblance 

 to that of the redstart, is mostly heard in the love season, and 

 is uttered both from its perch on the summit of a bush or tree, 

 and when hovering hi the ah-. 



The nest is placed on the ground, usually in a cavity under the 

 grass hi a field, not far from a hedgerow, or under a thick furze- 

 bush on commons, or at the roots of the heather on moors. It is 

 formed of dry grass and moss, and lined with horsehair and root- 

 lets. Four to six eggs are laid, greenish blue in colour, faintly 

 marked with a zone of brown spots at the larger end. 



