4 BIRDS OF ICELAND 



Una (Liuu.), in that institution, one labelled correctly, 

 the other named ' AuSniititlingur ' (Mealy Redpoll). 

 The occurrence of the Common Linnet in Iceland has 

 never even been suggested by any one. 



Saxicola oenanthe (Linn.). Wheatear. 



Native names : ' Steindepill,' — also * Steinklappa,' and 

 * GradiloSur,' but I never heard either of the latter 

 used, and Grondal mentions neither. 



A summer visitor, plentiful in most parts of the 

 island, arriving about the middle of May, and usually 

 leaving in the beginning of August, though a few 

 may be met with as late as the middle of the next 

 month. The nest, made of fine grass with a few 

 ptarmigan feathers, is placed in much the same situa- 

 tions as in England — in crevices of rocks, heaps of 

 stones, etc., — and five eggs seem more usual in Iceland 

 than six ; sometimes there are four only. Their colour 

 is of a clear pale blue. The bird may easily be 

 recognised by the conspicuous white patcli over the 

 tail, and by its note, a sort of 'tick-tick,' much like 

 what might be produced by knocking two pebbles 

 together, from which the bird gains its vernacular 

 name in most European countries. This is usually 

 uttered while the bird is perched upon, or is just 

 leaving, a stone top. In summer dress the male is of 

 a clear grey with black points, the female drab. 



In the Younger Edda of Snorro Sturleson, date about 

 1233, the name is ' Steindelfr.' 



