PRATINCOLA RUBICOLA.

Stone-chat or Furze-chat.

Motacilla rubicola, Linn. Syst. Nat., tom, i. p. 332.

maura, Pall., Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. p. 304, Pratincola, Spas
Sylvia rubicola, Lath. Ind. Orn., vol. ii. p. 523.
Saaicola rubicola, Temm. Man. d’Orn., 2nd edit. tom. ii. p. 246, and tom. iii. p. 168.
Pratincola rubicola, Koch, Bonap. Consp. Gen. Av., tom. i. p- 304, Pratincola, sp. 2.
Praticola rubicola, Parz. Cat. des Ois. d’Eur., no. 163.
Cnanthe rubicola, Vieill.
Fruticicola rubicola, Macgill. Hist. Brit. Birds, vol. ii. p. 279.

 

Geotoaists will tell us that certain physical features are perhaps more clearly defined in our little island
than on the neighbouring continent ; but a stranger landing in Sussex, and proceeding in a northern direc-
tion over the chalk-downs to Bedfordshire or one of the adjoining counties, would form a very unjust con-
ception of the entire country unless he extended his journey to the districts of the coal-measures and the
tertiary deposits. The ornithologist, however, from closely studying the habits and economy of our native
birds, can at once infer the character of a district by the species he may receive from it; in all probability
the entomologist could do the same, and the botanist also. The pretty little indigenous bird figured on
the opposite Plate, which is commonly known as the Furze-chat, although generally dispersed over our
island, from Cornwall to the Highlands, and in every part of the sister kingdom of Ireland, evinces a decided
preference for localities of a certain marked character, perhaps more exclusively so than any other resident
bird. These localities are always of a sterile and sandy nature, such as overtop the greensandstone
formation and are favourable to the growth of the gorse—that plant to which Linneeus made his obeisance,
if he did not kneel before it, so impressed was he with the beauty of its golden blossoms. It is on such
land that this species abounds, and where its little body is carried by its short rounded wings from bush to
bush and spray to spray when its precincts are invaded. Here, on the wild commons and heaths of our
islands, the Stone-chat and the Donkey live side by side, with the Lapwing for their summer companion.
The Stone-chat is one of the smallest and one of the hardiest of our native birds; for it seldom leaves the
bleak moorland, and even in winter mnay be seem, amidst the snow and frost, topping the highest bushes ;
and if compelled to resort to the hedgerow, it appears to be out of its element, and seldom removes far
from its favourite common ; indeed the tenacity with which it will cling to its usual haunt is remarkable.
Long after the common has been brought under cultivation, it still lingers about the hedgerow, and resorts
to the solitary furze-bush which may have been left at the corner of a field or by the roadside. ‘The physical
changes im the surface of the country effected by the progress of agriculture, however beneficial they may
be to the farmer and the husbandman, must in the end lead to the extirpation of many of our native birds.
The Stone-chat may be described as a solitary species; for although several pairs may be found on a
common of limited extent, two males are seldom seen together ; if the females be not sitting on their nest,
the mated birds may be observed facing each other on a neighbouring bush, or first one and then the other
darting off to capture an insect, and returning to the identical sprays they had left. At times, particularly in
spring, the male rises straight up in the air, and descends again with quivering wings, all tite while pouring
forth its feeble, pleasing ditty—an expression of joy very different from the chat-chat which it utters when
under the influence of alarm from the presence of man, or excited by the sight of any other displeasing object.
During these little paroxysms of anger it becomes very lively, tosses up its head, erects its little a and
shakes its rounded wings after the manner of some of the other Savicoling. ‘If you watch its motions,
without alarming it,” says Macgillivray, ‘‘ you observe that it flits about by short starts, with a direct flight,
perches on a twig, jerks its body and tail, utters at intervals a stamps note resembling the syllable sxack,
now and then flies off in pursuit of an insect, creeps among the foliage, and sometimes hops along the
ground, or takes its stand on a turf or other eminence.” S .
~ On the Continent, this bird, although possessing but limited powers of flight, is a migrant; but few
remaining, according to M. Bailly, in Savoy, or even in Italy, during fate winter 5 ee Date of Germany
it is said to be scarce at all times; while in France and coe adjacent countries it is very Bae
distributed in all dry and uncultivated districts, and there performs the same offiues as with us. Dye or
three birds of the same form as the Stone-chat inhabit India, one of which was formerly considered identical ;
but this, as well as the bird from the Cape of Good Hope, which has also been supposed to be the same, are

now known to be distinct.