NOTITATES ZOOLOGICAE XXIV. 1!)17. 15 



more likely than not that the birds come under the category of occasional if 

 not annual summer-visitors rather than accidental vagrants. It has not yet been 

 proved that their visits are annual and regular ; at the same time the evidence, 

 as it accumulates, points in that direction. 



With the data at our disposal the question in regard to the periodic status 

 of the bird is becoming unfolded, and so far as our present knowledge goes would 

 read somewhat as follows : A frequent, and quite likely an annual, summer-visitor 

 to the southern counties of England, and occurring as a very rare vagrant in 

 more northern latitudes of the British Isles. What the numeric status may be 

 remains to be seen. It is certain, however, that those specimens obtained do not 

 by any means exhaust the numbers which appeared each season. If we adopt the 

 estimate made by such competent authorities as Dr. E. Hartert, Rev. F. C. R. 

 Jourdain, Dr. N. F. Ticehurst, and Mr. H. F. Witherby, namely, that for every 

 straggler vihich is identified and recorded, at least ten go past unidentified and 

 unrecorded,* and admitting the Western Black-eared Wheatear to be a frequent 

 summer-visitor rather than a mere straggler, it seems to me proportionate if the 

 numbers which escape detection in a given area where the bird has occurred 

 be estimated at twenty times greater. If for the present such an estimate be 

 granted, then the numeric status of the bird might be put down as " occurring in 

 very small numbers." 



The complete status of this Wheatear might then read as follows : A frequent, 

 quite likely an annual visitor to the southern counties of England, occurring 

 in very small numbers, and a very rare vagrant to more northern latitudes in 

 the British Isles. In regard to Ireland apart from Great Britain, it is impossible 

 with but one specimen at our disposal, this representing the sole record known 

 up to the present, to set forth the status of the bird. If, as already suggested, 

 the Tuskar bird represents one of the South of England visitors which prolonged 

 its journey slightly, with negligible deviation of route, it might be appropriately 

 called for the present an expectant, rather than a mere haphazard accidental 

 vagrant. This much may be added, however, in conclusion, that, while on the one 

 hand the Black-eared Wheatear is a migrant in summer to more southern European 

 latitudes ; on the other hand, being a bird of strong flight and energy, it may 

 be led to overstep the boundary of its breeding-range more readily and oftener 

 than has been supposed, and, if a sharp look-out be kept, it may be found visiting 

 Ireland again at no distant date. Its chances of fraternising xn flight with 

 some of the thousands of Common and Greenland Wheatears which reach Tuskar 

 annually in spring, and thence of alighting on Irish soil, are not improbable. 

 We have seen that the Tuskar bird arrived synchronously with several Common 

 Wheatears and many other species which habitually visit Tuskar on spring 

 migration ; that it was in good condition ; and was not a waif which had drifted 

 about aimlessly, untU fatigue or storm-bound it sought refuge on the rock. In 

 truth it was affecting a vigorous migration. Such are hopeful signs that it 

 will re-visit Ireland. I fervently hope so. 



GENERAI. GEOGRAFHICAI. DISTRIBUTIOIT. 



In regard to the general geographical distribution of the Western Black-eared 

 Wheatear, Saunders provides the following : " Although some occurrences 



• Vide Introduction, p. xi. Hand-liitt oj British Birds, 1912, by above authors. 



