THE WHEAT EAR, OR FALLOW GHAT. 211 



It is always placed under cover, sometimes being protected by a bunch of reeds drawn together, 

 sometimes built in the midst of some thick bush, and sometimes overshadowed by a tuft 

 of rank aquatic herbage. The eggs are from four to six in number, and their color is a very 

 light yellow-brown, dappled with a darker hue. 



The general color of this bird is brown of various shades above, pure white on the chin 

 and throat, and buff upon the breast and abdomen. Its total length is rather under five 

 inches. 



The Fan-tail Warbler, which has been referred by Mr. Gould to the genus Salicaria, 

 is a most interesting little bird, and deserving of our best admiration, not only for the elegance 

 of its form and delicate beauty of its coloring, but for the wonderful skill which it displays in 

 the formation of its nest. 



The cradle in which is laid the nest of the Fan-tail Warbler is most ingeniously 

 constructed from the living reeds among which the bird loves to make its residence. As it is 

 so minute a creature, it is unable to make use of the thick and sturdy stems, but employs the 

 fiat leaf -blades and the smaller grasses in its architectural designs. Each leaf is pierced by 

 the bill, drawn closely to another blade, and secured to it by means of a cottony thread which 

 is passed through the perforation, and secured at each stitch by a knot so elaborately tied, 

 that, in the words of Mr. Gould, "it appears the work of reason." The nest itself is composed 

 of various soft and downy fibres, which are collected from different plants. In this wonder- 

 fully constructed nest the Fan-tail Warbler lays four or five eggs of a " bluish -flesh" color. 



The popular name of Fan-tail has been given to this bird on account of the peculiar shape 

 of the expanded tail, which is exhibited by the bird whenever it sets itself in motion. It is a 

 lively little bird, popping in and out of the foliage in a very wren-like manner, spreading and 

 flirting its beautifully loquacious little tail while it darts from spot to spot, as the Spanish 

 ladies flirt their love-sj^eaking fans. When observed, it takes to its wings, and will fly to a 

 considerable distance before alighting. It is a native of the Mediterranean shores, and is found 

 along the northern and eastern parts of Europe, and the adjoining portions of Africa and Asia. 

 At Gibraltar it is found in plenty, enlivening the bushes with its quick and active movements, 

 and its shrill merry notes. 



The color of this pretty little bird is a warm chestnut-brown, each feather being marked 

 with a dark strip running down its centre. The under surface is white with a brown wash, 

 and the tail is brownish-black, each feather being graduated so as to give it the appearance 

 of a partly-opened fan. Each tail-feather is tipped with white, presenting an agreeable 

 contrast to the darker hues of the basal portions. The total length of this bird is about 

 five inches. 



THE ERYTHACIN^E. 



A small but very interesting group of birds now claims our attention. These are the 

 MrythadTKB, or Redbreast kind, including the Redbreast, the Wheatear, the Chats, the Red- 

 start, and other similar birds. 



The Wheatear, or Fallow Chat, is well known, and on account of the delicate flavor 

 of its flesh when fat, is sadly persecuted throughout the whole time of its sojourn in northern 

 parts of Europe. 



Being in great favor for the table, where it is popularly known as the ortolan, and conse- 

 quently fetching a good price in the market, it is caught in great numbers, and sold to the 

 game-dealers. The trap by which it is captured is a remarkably simple affair, consisting 

 merely of an oblong piece of turf cut from the soil, and arranged crosswise over the cavity 

 from which it was taken. A horse-hair noose is supported under the turf by means of a stick, 

 and the trap is complete, needing no bait or supervision. It is the nature of the Wheatear to 

 run under shelter at the least alarm ; a passing cloud sufficina: to drive it under a stone or into 

 a hole in a bank. Seeing, therefore, the sheltering turf, the Wheatear runs beneath it, and is 



