CHAPTER L. 



The Whinchat. 



Motacilla ruhetros, Lin. ; Le grand Traquet ou Tarier, Buf. 



Description and Character. — The Whinchat forms a pleasing 

 variety, either in a cage or aviary, but, like the whole of the 

 Motacilla tribe, requires considerable care and attention bestowed 

 upon it in order to keep it in vigorous health and fine condition. 

 These birds never attain their mature plumage until the third 

 year. 



An adult specimen measures 5in., of which the tail is Ifin. 

 The bill is black. The irides are dark hazel. The upper part 

 of the head, neck, back, and rump, are dingy black, edged with 

 pale russet. From the base of the bill a streak of white runs, 

 passing above the eyes and beyond the ears ; the cheeks and 

 temples are black. The wings are black, edged with bright 

 russet, with the exception of the hindmost feather, which is 

 white at the base. The wing coverts are brown, having a rufous 

 tinge at the edge ; part of the feathers on the outside are white, 

 and these form a transverse stripe near the shoulder, and a 

 white spot near the bastard wing. The tail, for about two- 

 thirds of its length nearest the base, is white, and the remainder 

 dusky brown ; the two centre feathers are black almost to the 

 roots. The chin is white ; the rest of the under parts of the 

 body are reddish white, the breast inclining to red, and the 

 belly to white. The legs and feet are black. Young birds 

 before moulting do not show the white marks over their eyes. 



Habits and Breeding. — Whinchats are partly migratory ; 

 the majority of them appear to leave this country about the 



