Birds, vol. ii. p. 112. So different is this from what we find in Ireland, that were whin-chat substituted for stone-chat in the extract, it would, with respect to relative numbers and haunts, exactly apply to this island.
In Holland, France, Switzerland, and Italy, this bird has in summer and autumn come under my notice.
THE WHIN-CHAT.
Saxicola rubetra, Linn. (sp.)
Motacillarubetra,„ Linn.„
Sylviarubetra,„ Lath.
Like the wheat-ear, is a regular summer visitant to this country, but is less diffused than that species.
Besides, its places of resort contribute to render the whin-chat still less known than, as a regular bird of passage, it might be. These, about Belfast, are chiefly the base of the mountains and the adjacent fields, or low-lying uncultivated ground, containing shrubby underwood. Tins bird is described as common in Don- egal,* in which county it has come under my own notice. It visits Down, Monaghan, and Armagh, and probably every county throughout the island. It is said to be not uncommon in Conne- mara ;t is believed to visit the neighbourhood of Clonmel ; % and is included in the Cork Fauna; but noticed as "rare," as it like- wise is about Killaloe.§ Mr. Neligan considered this bird to be common in Kerry ; remarking that it is very partial to alighting on the dock-weed (Rumex) in the meadows, and that the same fields are resorted to every summer.
In white-thorn hedges I have not uncommonly seen the whin- chat, and have remarked it make sallies into the air like the fly- catcher in pursuit of winged prey. The eggs which I have ex- amined, in form, size, and colour, strongly resemble those of the hedge accentor, but on minute inspection are not of their uniform
J. V. Stewart.
M'Calla.
Davis.
Rev. T. Knox.
