50 
SYLVIAD.E. 
JNSESSORES. 
DENTIROSTRES. SYLVIADJE. 
PLATE LVI. 
STONECHAT. 
Saxicola rubicola. 
The Stonechat is one of our handsomest indigenous 
birds, when dressed in spring in its well varied and conspicuous 
plumage. An inhabitant, like the preceding species, of com¬ 
mons and heathy wastes, this pretty little bird enlivens those 
quiet and lonely spots, not only Avith its attractive plumage, 
but Avith its singular note, whose sound resembles exactly the 
noise made by striking two small stones together, and cannot 
better be expressed in letters than in the trivial name 
“ Tschecantschia ” of Gmelin. Like the whinchat, which it 
resembles greatly in its habits and manners, it is usually seen 
upon the uppermost spray of a bush, or clinging, as repre¬ 
sented in the plate, among tall rushes. It is not a shy bird ; 
and, being much more able to brave the cold than the two 
Saxicolas just described, it may be seen at all seasons and in 
all Aveathers, and often in rough weather in summer is the only 
small bird upon an extended common that ventures to oppose 
its little bosom to the gale. 
The flight of the Stonechat is rapid, but not usually pro¬ 
longed. It may be seen sitting for a feAV minutes on the top 
of a bush, then suddenly disappearing, again presents itself 
at some little distance in a similar position. This appearance 
and disappearance is caused by its Avinging its flight close to 
