The Pennsylvanian Pipit 149 The Red-throated Pipit 152 The Spotted Flycatcher 155 The Pied Flycatcher 160 The Swallow 170 The Martin 184 The Sand Martin 187 The Common Swift 191 The Alpine Swift 199 The Nightjar 204 The Cuckoo 219 The Wryneck 242 The Hoopoe 249 The Golden Oriole 262 The Red-backed Shrike 276 The Turtle-dove 282 The Landrail or Corncrake 288 General Observations 299 Conclusion 330 Index 335 [Illustration: WHEATEAR] THE WHEATEAR. (_Saxicola œnanthe._) One of the earliest of our feathered visitors to arrive is the Wheatear, which comes to us as a rule in the second week of March; and, although individuals have been seen and procured occasionally at a much earlier date, there is reason to believe that the spring migration does not set in before this, and that the birds met with previously are such as have wintered in this country; for it has been well ascertained that the Wheatear, like the Stonechat, occasionally remains with us throughout the year. It is a noticeable fact that those which stay the winter are far less shy in their habits, and will suffer a much nearer approach. The name Wheatear may have been derived either from the season of its arrival, or from its being taken in great numbers for the table at wheat harvest. Or, again, it may be a corruption of _whitear_, from the _white ear_ which is very conspicuous in the spring plumage of this bird. Many instances are on record of Wheatears having come on board vessels several miles from land at the period of migration, and from the observations of naturalists in various parts of the country it would appear that these birds travel by night, or at early dawn. I do not remember any recorded instance in which they have been seen to land upon our shores in the daytime.