234 BRITISH BIRDS. 
ly are much paler, and the white fpot on the rump 
is wanting. 
This folitary little bird is chiefly to be found on 
wild heaths and commons, where it feeds on fmall 
worms and infe&s of all kinds : It builds its nefl at 
the roots of bufhes, or underneath Hones ; it care- 
fully conceals the entrance to it by a variety of lit- 
tle arts ; it generally alights at fome diftance from 
it, and makes its approaches with great circum- 
fpe&ion, creeping along the ground in a winding 
diredlion, fo that it is a difficult matter to difcover 
its retreat; the female breeds about the end of 
March, and lays five or fix eggs, of a blueifh 
green, faintly fpotted with ruft colour. The flight 
of the Stonechat is low ; it is almoft: continually 
on the wing, flying from bufli to bufh, alighting 
only for a few feconds. It remains with us the 
whole year, and in winter is known to frequent 
moifl places, in queft of food. Buffon compares 
Its note to the word wijirata frequently repeated. 
Mr Latham obferves, that it feemed to him like 
the clicking of two flones together, from whence it 
Is probable it may have derived its name. 
