2 WHEATEAR.
bushes." Such contradictory statements doubtless arise from the fact that two forms of Wheatear frequent
the British Islands. Tn addition to the bird that arrives on our coasts in March and early in April, a
larger variety makes its appearance at a somewhat later date. This form is seldom seen before the middle of
April, and continues to land till the end of the first or second week in May*. It is perfectly cornet that
the common Wheat ear seldom, if ever, perches on trees or bushes, though the large form if disturbed usually
makes its way to a commanding position, either on a twig, on a hedgerow, or even on the topmost branches
of some lofty tree. I have repeatedly remarked this habit in the vicinity of the south coast, as well as on
tile downs, and also on the moors in the Highlands, lu Glenlyon, in Perthshire, I carefully watched this
form in the first week in June. A pair or two frequented a steep hill-side, where I imagined they must be
engaged in nesting-operations. When closely approached they almost invariably retreated to the upper
branches of a clump of tall spreading beech trees. As these birds entirely disappeared after the 5th or fith
of the month, I came to the conclusion they had passed on towards more northern breeding-quarters. With
regard to the nesting of this form or variety within the limits of the British Islands, I can only slate from
personal observation that 1 have not clearly ascertained a single instance. Though a considerable amount
of time was spent in many parts of the country, I never succeeded in discovering the nest of the large
Whealear; I have, however, been assured, by persons well acquainted with the variety, that these birds
breed on the South Downs at times, in rabbit-burrows, after the fashion of their smaller relatives. The
eggs are described as being slightly marked with rusty blotches or spots. This information concerning
their nesting I give for what it. is worth, my own opinion being that this form only passes over the
British Islands on its way to the far north. According to my own experience, there is little or no dill'ercnee
between the tuo forms, with the exception of size. I have never been guilty of slaughtering any great
numbers for the sake of comparison ; but after a careful examination of several fresh-killed specimens of
both forms, I consider the larger seldom attaiu a state of plumage where the tints are so clearly or brightlydefined
as on a few of the earlier arrivals of the smaller race. I have frequently remarked that the first
Wlieatears met with along the south coast at the commencement of their migration exhibit the most
conspicuous colouring. With regard to the habits of the two forms, they may be described as similar,
with the exception of the far later date at which the larger form reaches our shores, and its predilection
for perching on bushes or trees.
A male of each form is depicted iu the Plate, figured side by side in order to convey an idea of the
relative sines. The smaller specimen, shown on a fragment of drift wreckage, was obtained during the
first week in April; the larger bird a month later, shortly after his arrival on our shores. As the Plate
represents the two forms life-size, auy description is rendered unnecessary.
The nestling-plumage of the Wheatear is dull and far less showy than the dress of the adults ; a
short inspection, however, of the actions of the juveniles, as well as the conspicuous white bar across the
tail, would speedily convince those who are not thoroughly acquainted with the species in all its variations
that they arc undoubted chips of the old block. Before the movement towards the south is commenced,
the young have completely assumed I heir autumn dress, and at a short distance can scarcely be distinguished
from the old birds.
Considerable numbers of Wlieatears must at times pass over the North Sea. While conversing with
* I find in my nutes that a Hptgirocn shot on the bench near HMNfeMI on the otb of liny, 1880, WJU uiirjumbtTid liy ii giguntic parasite
tirmli livii l/i ila throat. The hint li.ul rvilently onlj ju-t bruit J ui our cuj»i ; am] the iiiiuict must linie been trfuttd lo n free pim-sniir .urn—
Iht- .•Imnin-l. AH llii- ri^nl-ivr moHslm-ili ilitbrcJ r.jiiBiilrruM) lmlli in ipiii-rirMco rind si/.r from the msi-<t-i Itisl inl'i'sl our (lurks and IKTIIh,
it hi a pitj- it JiJ iiol occur to mc at the nrumoTti to forward 111•• sj.i.-. inun for i'ki.lKicuti ,n : it mi^-lit ]j.u-il,]y h.ivi' Iihtl cluciiverei (o licking
WHEATEAR 3
the mate of one of the light-ships oil' the east coast concerning the birds that flew on board his vessel, I
learned that the most frequent captures had lately consisted of Larks, Starlings, and Shepherds*. During
1872 and IS?;J, when I received the wings of the birds that fell on the light-ships off this coast, I did not
find any sign that a single Wheatear had been taken, though Starlings and Larks were by far the most
numerous. 1 conclude it is only during thick hazy weather at the seasons of their migration that these
birds get out of their reckoning and come to grief in this manner.
The Wheatear was in former days in great request for the table, and immense numbers were captured
by the shepherds on the South Downs. The iugeuious snares they employed for 1 he purpose have been so
frequently and accurately described by writers, that any remarks I could make on the subject would be
superfluous. It will be sufficient to state that, from inquiries made during the autumn of 18--2, I was
unable to learn that any birds now finding their way to the Brighton market are taken by these means. The
season of 1878 was the last in which the poulterers received a supply from the shepherds; and the quantity
then captured was exceedingly small compared with the hundreds of dozens formerly sent in. On
examining the books of one of the game-dealers in which the daily takes of each shepherd were recorded, 1
discovered their whole season's catch did not amount to more than from two hundred to four hundred
birds per man. The manager of one of the leading firms assured me that some thirty yean ago they have
had as many as sixty dozen brought in by the carriers in a single day. The supply occasionally considerably
exceeded the demand; and one of my informants described, with evident signs of regret, the stupendous pies
that not uncommonly fell to their share in those days. The farmers have now put a stop to the formation
of the traps by the shepherds. The sheep-walks have become so contracted by the laud falling under the
plough, that they doubtless consider the encroachment on the pasture, caused by the displacement of the
turf, to be by no means beneficial to their interests. The birds now teaching the market are furnished by
the professional bird-catchers, who capture them by clap-nets. The neighbourhood of the race-hill near
Brighton is a favourite set, ono or two men or boys being employed in driving the birds over the net.
The numbers taken are but small, from a dozen and a half to a couple of dozen being considered a fair
morning's work. This brings in to the catcher about one and six pence a dozen, and an equal profit to the