159 



found on tlie outskirts of the Pyrenees, but the limits of the various races are 

 still very imperfectly known, and are complicated by the fact that two, or 

 even three, forms may occur on passage in the same locality. In the 

 Low Countries, Denmark, Germany, and Austro-Hungary it is tolerably 

 common on suitable ground, but as a rule is absent from mountainous districts 

 and dry heaths. In Switzerland it nests chiefly in the plains, but also in 

 smaller numbers in the higher valleys; and in Italy appears to be restricted 

 to the highlands of the Po valley. In Russia it is generally distributed 

 through the Baltic Provinces, S. Finland, Central Russia and Poland. In 

 Scandinavia the present form is confined to S. Norway, where it is met 

 with very sparingly, and Sweden, where it is found throughout Gotarike, 

 but becomes scarce in the W., and is probably not found N. of lat. 62°, 

 though it is said to occur in Jemtland. 



The nest and breeding habits closely resemble those of M. f. rayi Nest. 

 already described. It is always on the ground, frequently on railway em- 

 bankments, at other times in rank grass in marshy meadows, or in crops 

 of clover, rape, sainfoin, peas, wheat, etc. 



5 — 6 in number, though 7 are occasionally found in S. Finland Eggs. 

 (Pousar). Practically all the eggs of the various races of Yellow Wagtail 

 are indistinguishable, and some of the smaller eggs bear a great resemblance 

 to those of the Sedge Warbler. 



Only one brood is reared annually. In Germany, Denmark, and Austro- Breeding 

 Hungary eggs are seldom found before June, sometimes late in July. They 

 may however be taken occasionally in the last fortnight of May, and this 

 appears to be the more usual time in the Low Countries and E. France, 

 while in the Swiss valleys they are still earlier. 



Average of 100 eggs (72 by Rey and 28 by the writer), 18.75X13.90 Measure- 

 mm., Max. 21 X 14.3 and 19.2 X 15.2 mm., Min. 16.3 X 12.8 mm. Average ""'"*'• 

 weight, 105 mg. (Rey); 108 mg. (Bau, 39 eggs). The shape and size 

 of the eggs are very variable, but on the average they are a little smaller 

 than those of M. f. rayi. 



d. Dombrowski's Yellow Wagtail, M. flava dombrowskii (Tsch.). 



M. flava domhroivskii (Tsch.). Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 289. 

 Breeding Range: Wallachia, the Dobrudscha, and in small numbers 

 in N. Bulgaria. 



e. Sykes's Yellow Wagtail, M. flava beema Sykes. 



M. flava heema Sykes. Hartert, Vog. Pal. Fauna, p. 290. 

 Breeding Range: W. Siberia, from Orenburg to the Yenesei. Has 

 occurred in England. [Zool., 1902, p. 232, etc.) 



