476 RARE BRITISH BIRDS 



2. Distribution. The breeding range of this species extends over the greater part of the 

 Continent, but it is absent from Norway, the north of Sweden, and North Russia, and the 

 ordinary form is replaced by allied races in the Iberian and Balkan Peninsulas as well as in 

 South Russia. It is absent from Corsica and Sardinia, but is represented in the other Medi- 

 terranean islands, and many allied races are found breeding in Northern Africa and also in 

 many parts of Asia. Though resident, it has occurred casually in Norway, and seven times in 

 England (Cornwall and Sussex). [F. c. n. J.] 



EASTERN-SKYLARK [Alaiida arvensis cindrea Ehincke. Asiatic skylark]. 



1. Description. The Eastern form of the skylark is very closely allied to the common- 

 skylark, and resembles it in the general style of coloration (see vol. i. p. 199), but it is a much 

 greyer bird on the upper surface, with a purer white belly and much paler axillaries and under 

 wing-coverts. The adult female is similar in plumage to the male, but is smaller ; iris hazel ; 

 bill greyish brown above, lower mandible flesh-coloured ; feet yellowish brown. [\v. p. p. and T. w.j 



2. Distribution. This local race of skylark breeds in Asia, in West Siberia, Turkestan, 

 Persia, and possibly Palestine. It winters in the Caucasus, and also in North Africa from 

 Algeria to Egypt. In the British Isles it has occurred once in Scotland (Flannan Isles), and at 

 least once in Ireland (Co. Cork, 1910). [F. c. R. J.] 



THE WAGTAILS AND PIPITS 1 



[ORDER : Passeriformes. FAMILY : MotacillidcB] 



SYKES' YELLOW-WAGTAIL [Motacllla fldva beema Sykes. Italian, cutrettola gialla 

 orientate]. 



1. Description. Recognised by its pearl-grey head. It very much resembles M. flava, but 

 may be distinguished from that species by its white face and ear-coverts. The sexes are alike, 

 excepting that the female is duller in plumage than the male. Adult male, length 6| in. 

 [165 mm.]. General colour above yellowish green ; median and greater coverts dull brown, 

 margined with yellow ; primaries and secondaries blackish brown, margined with olive-yellow ; 

 tail feathers black, fringed with yellowish olive ; two outer pairs white, with a blackish margin 

 on the basal two-thirds of the inner web ; top of the head pearl-grey ; chin and a broad eyebrow 

 white ; remainder of the under surface of the body brilliant golden yellow ; axillaries yellow, 

 [w. P. P. and T. w.] 



2. Distribution. Breeds in Western Siberia from Orenburg to the Yenisei. Occurs on 

 passage in Turkestan, and winters in India. Has been recorded casually from Hungary, once 

 from England (Sussex, April 1898), and once from Fair Island (May 1910), also from Italy and 

 Tunisia. [F. c. R. j.] 



GREYHEADED-WAGTAIL [Motacitta fldva tUunUrgi Billberg ; Motacilla viridis Gmelin. 

 Arctic yellow-wagtail. German, nordische Schafstelze ; Italian, cutrettola caposcuro], 



1. Description. Distinguished by its black ear-coverts and by the absence of the eyebrow. 

 The sexes are alike, except that the female is much duller in coloration. Length 6 in. [165 

 mm.]. Top of the head and sides of the neck dark slate-blue ; lores, feathers round the eye and 

 ear-coverts black ; upper plumage dark olive-yellow, lighter on the lower back and rump ; 

 primaries and secondaries blackish brown, edged with olive-yellow; tail feathers black, the 

 outer pairs white with a fringe of black on the inner web ; chin, throat, and under surface of the 

 body bright yellow ; under coverts of the wing and the axillaries yellow, [w. p. p. and T. w.] 



2. Distribution. Breeds in the north of Europe and Asia. In Norway it nests on the 



1 Vol. i. p. 221. 



