Collection of Birds from the Mediterranean. 167 



possible that the individuals wintering at those places may 

 not be the breeding-stock. 



The stomachs contained flies, beetles, seeds, caterpillars, 

 and small snails. 



Saxicola rubetra rubetra (L.). 



Egypt. — Migrant only. The passage of Whinchats com- 

 menced about 28th August, after which date the numbers 

 increased almost daily. From 15th September to 7th October 

 the species abounded everywhere ; the numbers then suddenly 

 dropped to merely a few stray birds, and on 20th October, 

 the very day that the last Whinchat was noted, the first Stone- 

 chat Avas seen. 



Between September 16tli and 26th some adult males 

 apparently in summer plumage were seen. All observed 

 subsequently were in the plain streaked dress. 



Crete. — The first migrant, a male in full summer plumage, 

 was observed on 1st April. Numbers of both sexes were met 

 with at Athens between April 13tli and 23rd, and several 

 of both sexes at sea forty miles west of Crete on 29th April. 

 All these birds were evidently passing further northward. 



Malta. — On 3rd May only females were observed on 

 migration; the males had gone by, and the passage of 

 Whinchats was nearly concluded. 



[The specimens collected (c^" April 7, Crete ; ^ April 13, 

 Greece; S April 30, at sea ; $ September 16, Alexandria) 

 vary somewhat in coloration and size, but these differences 

 are, I consider, either seasonal or individual. In addition to 

 the large series I have been able to compare at Tring and in 

 my own collection, Herr Reiser has very kindly lent me five 

 specimens from Greece. — H. F. W.'] 



Ph(ENICURUS PH(EN1CURUS * (L.). 



The typical Hedstart was met with as a migrant all over 

 the Mediterranean. 



Egypt. — The migration started about 23rd August, but it 



• For the reason for the omission of the third name in this case see 

 under Coccothraustes, p. 124 



