CHAPTER XL. 



The Fauvette. 



Motacilla hortensis, Lin. ; Fauvette, Buf. 



Desceiption and Chaeactee. — The Fauvette, or Pettichaps, 

 is rather a scarce bird in this country, and would seem to be 

 nearly allied to the Whitethroat. It is considerably localized, 

 and is probably most plentiful in some parts of Lancashire, 

 Cumberland, and Westmoreland. It is an excessively timid bird, 

 and seldom seen by the casual observer, as it hides itself in thick 

 hedges and dense masses of underwood. It has a lovely voice, 

 and is otherwise a pleasing bird, but of sombre appearance. 



A fully-grown specimen measures 6in., of which the tail is 2|-in. 

 The beak is brownish black, the base of the under mandible 

 being somewhat paler. The upper part of the body is greyish 

 brown, the head being a few shades deeper in colour than the 

 back. The pen feathers are brownish ash colour, with a tinge of 

 russet, and edged with grey ; the wing coverts are of the same 

 colour. The tail is greyish brown, edged with a paler brown, 

 the two exterior feathers being greyish white on the outer web, 

 and also near the tip on the inner web ; the adjacent feather on 

 each side has a white tip. From the base of the bill, passing 

 over the eye, is a streak of pale grey. The breast and belly are 

 white, tinged with pale red. The sides and thighs are greyish 

 white, and the legs dark brown. 



Habits and Beeeding. — The Fauvette, though somewhat rare 

 in England, is plentiful in France and Italy, where it frequents 

 gardens and fields. It has been known to build its nest among 

 rods put up to support the peas, but generally does so ia a bush 



