THE WHEATEAR. 
177 
together contiguous to the sea, near Belfast, on the 3rd of April, 
1836, and as the species is not disposed to congregate with us, it 
was thought that they had probably come hither in company, and 
had not long arrived. 
Mr. Yarrell mentions their coming from the southward to 
England about the middle of March, which is also the period 
named by Mr. Selby as that of their arrival, (it may be presumed,) 
in Northumberland. But contrary to the habit of other species 
of migratory birds, it appears that they arrive at an earlier period 
in Scotland, than in England or Ireland. Sir Wm. Jardine in- 
forms us, that they are met with in the pastoral districts in the 
first week of March, and one was seen by Mr. Macgillivray near 
Edinburgh, on the 28th of February. The period of their stay 
in Scotland is not mentioned by these authors. Erom the district 
of Aberarder, Inverness-shire, I can state from personal know- 
ledge, that they had generally taken their departure previous to 
the 1st of September, 1842, as during that month, two individuals 
only appeared, one on the 16th, and another on the 28th of the 
month. 
From the counties of Down and Antrim, they migrate very early ; 
the mountain pastures, marine sand-hills, and turf bogs, which 
through the summer have been enlivened by their presence, being 
often found wholly deserted by the end of August : a few, chiefly 
single birds, have however, in some places, come under my notice 
until the first week of October. I have not heard of the occurrence 
of the species in Ireland during winter, though such might be ex- 
pected, as White of Selborne tells us, that “in many parts of the 
south of England” (p. 257, &c. edit. 1837,) wheatears have been 
seen at that season. But the numbers of these birds which, in the 
autumn, visit the southern part of that country, are vastly greater 
than can be found in any part of Ireland. Mr. J. Y. Stewart, writing 
of the north-west of Donegal, informs us, that “the old wheatears, 
which are among our first spring visitants, take their departure from 
this place soon after the young ones can provide for themselves.” It 
is added, that “ this may account for what White mentions — 
their being found about this period in great numbers on the downs 
VOL. i. 
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