174 sylviadjE. 



Birds, vol. ii. p. 112. So different is this from what we find in 

 Ireland, that were whin-chat substituted for stone-chat in the 

 extract, it would, with respect to relative numbers and haunts, 

 exactly apply to this island. 



In Holland, France, Switzerland, and Italy, this bird has in 

 summer and autumn come under my notice. 



THE WHIN-CHAT. 



Saxicola rubetra, Linn, (sp.) 

 Motacitta „ „ 



Sylvia „ Lath. 



Like the wheat-ear, is a regular summer visitant to this 

 country, but is less diffused than that species. 



Besides, its places of resort contribute to render the whin-chat 

 still less known than, as a regular bird of passage, it might be. 

 These, about Belfast, are chiefly the base of the mountains and the 

 adjacent fields, or low-lying uncultivated ground, containing 

 shrubby underwood. Tins bird is described as common in Don- 

 egal,* in which county it has come under my own notice. It 

 visits Down, Monaghan, and Armagh, and probably every county 

 throughout the island. It is said to be not uncommon in Conne- 

 mara ;t is believed to visit the neighbourhood of Clonmel ; % and 

 is included in the Cork Fauna; but noticed as "rare," as it like- 

 wise is about Killaloe.§ Mr. Neligan considered this bird to be 

 common in Kerry ; remarking that it is very partial to alighting 

 on the dock-weed (Rumex) in the meadows, and that the same 

 fields are resorted to every summer. 



In white-thorn hedges I have not uncommonly seen the whin- 

 chat, and have remarked it make sallies into the air like the fly- 

 catcher in pursuit of winged prey. The eggs which I have ex- 

 amined, in form, size, and colour, strongly resemble those of the 

 hedge accentor, but on minute inspection are not of their uniform 



* J. V. Stewart. f M'Calla. % Davis. § Rev. T. Knox. 



