CHAPTER XLIX. 



The Wheatear. 



Motacilla oenanthe, Lin. ; Cul Blanc, Buf. 



Desceiption and Chaeacter. — The Wheatear is a pretty bird^ 

 and, being of a lively and cheerful disposition, is a desirable 

 acquisition to an aviary. It seems to be an especial favourite 

 with many fanciers, who greatly admire it on account of the 

 diversity of its plumage and its peculiar markings. 



The length of the Wheatear is o-l-in., the tail being Ifin. 

 long. The bill is black. The irides are dark brown. The 

 top of the head, hind part of the neck, and back, are of a 

 pale bluish grey ; in old birds the forehead is nearly white. 

 From the base of the bill to the hind part of the cheeks is 

 a streak of black, which surrounds the eyes, and widens as it 

 estends backwards ; above this is a narrow streak of white. 

 The cheeks and part of the sides of the neck are grey. The 

 wings are black ; the larger wing coverts, and the secondary 

 pen feathers, are edged with brownish yellow. The rump, 

 upper tail coverts, and base of the tail, are white, the ends 

 being black ; the two feathers in the middle are black almost 

 to the base. The gullet and chin are reddish white ; the throat 

 and breast are yellowish brown, or pale russet ; the belly and 

 vent are white ; the sides of the breast and belly, extending 

 to the vent, are tinged with brownish yellow. The legs and 

 feet are black. 



Habits and Beeeding. — The Wheatear is a bird of passage, 

 arriving in England in March or April, and leaving again in 

 September or October ; in mild seasons it remains later. It 



