THE BIRDS. 



549 



Belinzona their voices resound from every bush, and in the Eternal 

 City they are carefully tended in cages. 



" O nightingale, that on yon blooming spray 



Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still. 

 Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost fill. 

 While the jolly Hours lead on propitious May."— Milton. 



A pair of Stonechats {Saxicola rubicola, fig. 1186) roosted for 

 nearly a month on the bulrushes in the mill-head during the autumn 

 of 1870, but this bird is rather a resident on commons than among 



Fig. 1187.— Wheatear. 



Fig. 1186. — Stonechat. 



the shrubs of gardens. It may be known by its cry, which 

 resembles the noise of two stones being struck together. The Whinchat 

 [Saxicola rubetra) and the Wheatear {Saxicola ceiianthe, fig. 1187), 

 although they have not been observed in my garden, are to be 

 found in the neighbourhood, on Mitcham Common. 



The Hedge Sparrow {Accentor modidaris) 

 may be observed flitting about from bush 

 to bush ; but from its quiet unobtrusive 

 manner, and the unpretending and sober 

 colour of its plumage, frequently escapes the 

 notice of the casual observer. 



After the nightingale, there is no soft- 

 billed bird more charming than the Robin 

 {Erytliaca rubecula, fig. 1 1 88). I delight in the clear shrill of the 

 Redbreast, and love him most dearly, but I cannot convey my en- 

 thusiasm to other people, as few will admit that they care for the 

 note of this bird, although no one will deny that they admire his 



Fig. II 



Redbreast. 



