WHINCHAT. Zio 
perching on one of the uppermost twigs. ‘There is one 
difference between the Whinchat and the Stonechat which 
must be mentioned. A considerable number of Stonechats 
pass the winter in Britam; but the Whinchats, almost to 
a bird, depart im autumn to go farther south. The si- 
milarity in various points between these two birds has 
induced a partial belief that the Whinchats, like the Stone- 
chats, remained here during the winter. Pennant thought 
they did not migrate, only shifted their quarters; but I 
am not aware of more than two authentic instances of 
the Whinchat bemg seen here in winter, one in Cam- 
bridgeshire, and one in Devonshire. 
The Whinchat makes its appearance in the southern 
and south-eastern parts of this country about the 
middle of April, and arrives in the northern counties by 
the end of that month: it does not, however, begin to 
build so soon as the Stonechat, but is usually about a 
fortnight later. Its song is agreeable, generally given from 
an elevated position on a furze-bush, or while hovering 
in the air over it. Like most song birds, it is prone to 
imitate the notes of others; and the Whinchat appears to 
have been an especial favourite with Mr. Sweet, who was 
well known for his partiality to, and successful treatment of, 
the Warblers in confinement, and has published his me- 
thod of treatment. One of these birds brought up from 
the nest by Mr. Sweet used to sing the whole day through, 
and very often at night: it sang the notes of the White- 
throat, Redstart, Willow Warbler, Missel Thrush, and 
Nightingale. The food of the Whinchat is worms, in- 
sects, small testaceous mollusca, slugs, and berries. 
The nest, generally placed on the ground, is similar to 
that of the Stonechat, formed with a little moss and bents 
of grass, lined with finer bents: the eggs, five or six, of a 
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