Mr. W. C. Tait on the Birds of Portugal. 87 



and is often to be seen perched on the fig-trees. It is a con- 

 spicuous and handsome bird, and has a somewhat pleasing 

 and short song. I have also seen it near Abrantes. Summer 

 migrant. 



12. Saxicola RUFA (C. L. Brehm). '^ Caiada/^ '' Quei- 

 jeira/^ "Tanjarra^^ (Coimbra) ; "Tanjarro/' Tras os Monies 

 andPeniche; "Tange-asuo/^ Alemtejo; " Chasco branco/' 

 Melres. 



Commoner in the southern half of Portugal than in the 

 northern localities and heaths. Summer migrant. 



13. Saxicola leucura (Gm.). ''Rabo branco/' Pinhao 

 (Alto Douro) ; " Chasco de leque/^ Melres. 



Common on the rocky banks of the Douro ; for instance, 

 on the Abitureira cliffs, Bateiras, &c. It may sometimes be 

 seen perched on the roof of a wine-lagar, where the grapes 

 are pressed and the wine fermented. It was thought that 

 it did not exist near Coimbra until one was shot on the Serra 

 do Zorro. I have seen it nowhere but on the river Douro. 

 its song is lively and pleasing. The local name of " Ave de 

 leque/' or fan-bird, is derived from its habit of spreading out 

 the tail-feathers like a fan. It is the only species of Saxicola 

 resident in Portugal. 



14. Pratincola rubetra (Linn.). " Chasco," *' Tange- 

 asno," Coimbra. 



Appears near Oporto on passage from the second week of 

 September till nearly the end of October, and is common 

 during this migration. The earliest date on which I have 

 seen this bird is the 9th Sept. (1883), and the 19th Oct. 

 (J 879) the latest. The migration lasts about a month. It 

 is fond of perching on the top of the dry Indian-corn stalks. 

 The popular name at Coimbra, '' Tange-asno " (gee-up, 

 donkey !) originates from its note, like that used by the 

 donkey-boys to urge on their beasts. It is also applied to 

 other Chats with similar note and to the Woodchat. 



15. Pratincola rubicola. " Chas-chas," Redondela, 

 Galicia, Spain ;" Chasco,''^ north of Portugal; '' Cartaxo,'^ 

 southwards. 



