THE ISABELLINE WHEATEAR Saxicola isabellina, Rüppell
This is a south-eastern species inhabiting the plains of South Russia and Asia Minor in summer, and being a permanent resident in Palestine, Egypt, and East Africa. Only one example has been known in Western Europe; it was shot in Cumberland on November 11, 1887.
This species very closely resembles the Common Wheatear, but may be distinguished as follows: It is more tawny, has more black in its tail, and the under wing coverts are _white_. Length 6·5 in.; wing 3·9 in.
THE BLACK-EARED WHEATEAR Saxicola stapazina (Linnæus) nec Vieillot
The home of this species is in Southern Europe and North Africa. It has occurred in Sussex on three occasions during both the autumn and spring migrations.
Frontal line, lores, and a large patch extending backwards beyond the ear coverts, wings and wing coverts, black; mantle and breast rufous, rest of the plumage including the throat white. In the female the black is replaced by brownish and the upper parts are brownish grey. Length about 5 in.; wing 3·5 in.
(_N.B._--The name _stapazina_ has, until recently, been used for the next species, whose proper name is _occidentalis_.)
THE BLACK-THROATED WHEATEAR Saxicola occidentalis, Salvadori
This is a very common summer visitor to the south of Europe, breeding regularly in France as far north as the Loire. It has occurred here on two or three occasions only.
In the male the crown and upper back are golden buff; wings black; under parts pale buffish white; under wing coverts _black_. The female is duller and browner. Length 5·6 in.; wing 3·5 in.
THE DESERT WHEATEAR Saxicola deserti, Rüppell
This, as its name implies, is a southern desert species and is found widely distributed throughout North Africa and Egypt, to Persia and Afghanistan. It has been taken in Great Britain on at least three occasions--twice in Scotland and once in Yorkshire. It somewhat resembles the preceding species, but may always be distinguished by its tail, which is black almost to the base. Length 5·6 in.; wing 3·6 in.
THE WHINCHAT Pratincola rubetra (Linnæus)
A merry little fellow is he, arriving in this country with our other summer migrants about the middle of April. His haunts are open fields and pastures, so that he does not often come across his near relation the Stonechat, whom in actions, and to some extent in dress, he clearly resembles.