272 BRITISH BIRDS. 



the last week in August, and the first part of September ; 

 they continue to pass during October, and the latest date 

 of which I have a record is October 31st. 



Of the distribution of this Wheatear outside Great 

 Britain more is known, for Herr Stejneger, in reviewing 

 the whole subject (Proc. U.S. Nat. 3Ius., Vol. XXIII., 

 No. 1220) states that it migrates via France, Great Britain, 

 Shetlands, and Faroe Islands, to Greenland and the 

 opposite portions of North America, as well as to Iceland, 

 where it is the breeding species, whilst the western part 

 of North America is inhabited by the small (typical) 

 race, which reaches these parts via the Asiatic continent. 



Exactly where the Greenland Wheatear passes the 

 winter is not yet completely known. Hitherto it has been 

 supposed to have been more or less confined to the 

 western part of North Africa, Senegal (where probably 

 the original type specimen was obtained), and Gambia 

 districts, but I have seen undoubted specimens from 

 Khartoum, Nubia, and Fashoda ; so that, although the 

 majority may winter in West Africa, some at least spread 

 as far east as the Nile Valley. It apparently passes 

 through the Azores on migration. 



The first Wheatears arrive in Greenland, according 

 to Herr Winge (Groenland's Fuglefauna) about the end 

 of the first week of May ; in early years it may be seen 

 in the first few days of May, in late years not till the third 

 week. The return migration lasts from mid- August 

 to mid-September, and few are seen by the end of that 

 month ; it has frequently been met with flying over the 

 open sea south-west of Iceland. Whether this race breeds 

 in the Faroe Islands or not must, I think, at present 

 remain doubtful. 



Taking into consideration the difference in coloration 

 and size, migration, and breeding area, I have not the 

 slightest hesitation in agreeing with Lord Clifton and 

 Herr Stejneger as to the distinctness of the Greenland 

 race. The following diagrams give the results of my 

 measurements of 450 Wheatears' wings : — 



