112 
STONECHAT 
tinctly. The brownish-orange marks the breast 
only, and is of a paler tint than in the male ; the 
other lower parts are dull yellowish-white, tinted 
on the flanks slightly with orange-brown. The 
general length of the species is from four to five 
inches. 
The Stonechat, Saxicola rubicola, 
Beclist. — Motacilla rubicola, Linn. — Saxicola 
rubicola, Stonechat, of British authors Some 
Stonechats reside with us during the whole year, 
a portion, at the same time, arriving and depart- 
ing at the usual seasons of spring and autumn, 
either from the Continent, or by performing a 
partial migration from other parts of our own 
island. It is a species not nearly so abundant as 
either of the preceding, and frequents localities of 
a more wild and secluded character, extensive 
whin covers, the skirts of muirland districts, or 
the vicinity of the coast, where whin or brushwood 
prevail. It is generally seen in pairs, except im- 
mediately after breeding, and flits before the visi- 
ter to its territory, alighting, like the others, on 
the tops of the cover, and uttering a note more 
closely resembling the knocking together of two 
stones than either of the preceding, using a gentle 
jerk or motion of the wings at the same time. It 
builds generally near the root of some low bush, 
constructing the riest of grass and moss, lined 
with the finer grasses, and a few hairs. The eggs 
are pale greenish blue, speckled with reddish brown. 
