324 



British Cage Birds. 



They are well-known throughout Great Britain and most parts 

 of Europe, frequent commons and heaths, and in their habits 

 very much resemble Whinchats. They build their nests at 

 the foot of a bush or tree, beneath a large boulder, in a 

 hole or chasm in a projecting rock, at the side of a hill, 

 or among the close underwood in a plantation or on a 

 common. The nest is composed of the same materials as 

 employed by Whinchats, and greatly resembles the habita- 

 tion of that bird. The hen lays from four to six eggs, of a 

 bluish green colour, sparingly dotted with reddish brown 

 spots ; she incubates fourteen days, and is very wary and 

 secretive at this time, never alighting in close proximity to 

 the nest, but approaching it by stealth, creeping quietly 

 towards it through the grass for several yards ; hence, it is 

 most difficult to discover, and can only be found, after a close 

 and wearisome search, by cautiously watching the actions of 

 the parents through a good binocular field glass. 



Methods of Captuee. — Stonechats are cautious and suspicious, 

 and, consequently, difficult to ensnare. In the winter, they may 

 be secured by the use of limed twigs, scattered over a piece of 

 ground which has been cleared and baited with mealworms or 

 ants' eggs. They may be taken in the autumn by means of 

 the decoy bush, but are very wary about entering a trap. 



Food and Treatment. — In a state of Nature these birds 

 feed on all kinds of insects, and in confinement should be 

 given the food recommended for Whinchats. 



Reaeinq the Young. — The young should be taken when 

 twelve or fourteen days old, and reared either on ants' eggs 

 and bread soaked in milk, or on the food recommended for 

 rearing Whinchats. 



Distinguishing Maeks of Cock and Hen. — The colours of 

 the female are paler and duller than those of the male ; the top 

 of the head is brown in place of black, the white markings at 

 the sides of the neck are less conspicuous, and the rump is 

 brown instead of white. The throat of the hen is white, spotted 

 with black, and the breast and belly are very much paler in hue 

 than those of the male bird. 



Song. — The song of the Stonechat varies to some extent in 

 different birds. The natural song is very peculiar, and most 

 difficult to describe ; it consists of about three — not more than 

 four — notes, which are varied, and continued for a length of 



