WHEATEAR. 279 
usually selects a deserted rabbit-burrow, in which it places 
its nest at some little distance from the entrance: it is 
composed of dried roots, intermixed with feathers, rabbits’ 
down, and other light substances; and it generally contains 
six pale blue eggs. The nest is easily detected by a little 
observation, for in such situations the old birds amass a 
considerable number of small pieces of the withered stalks 
of the brake, Pteris aquilina, on the outside at the en- 
trance of the burrow: by noticing this circumstance its 
nest is sure to be discovered.” I have more than once 
found the nest in a fallow field under a large clot, to which 
my attention was drawn by a portion of the materials of 
which the nest was composed appearing outside the hole 
through which the bird passed to the hollow space within. 
The eggs are of a uniform delicate pale blue, measuring 
ten limes and a half in length, and seven lines and a half in 
breadth. 
The male sings prettily, but not loud, sometimes even 
when hovering on the wing, either near his nest or his 
partner. Mr. Sweet, in his British Warblers, says, “ that 
in confinement the Wheatear is continually in song, and 
sings by night as well as by day: their winter song is the 
best and the most varied.” 
Whether owing to the art with which the nest of this 
bird is mostly concealed, or placed beyond the reach of 
danger; whether from the great number of the parent 
birds that breed here; or that in autumn the numerous 
families migrate toward the same point on our southern 
coast from which to take their departure ; but the number 
of these birds seen and taken every autumn in the county 
of Sussex alone is very extraordinary. 
The extensive downs between Eastbourne and Beachy- 
head are visited by the Wheatear from the end of July to 
