E.vpedllion to the Eastern Canary Islands. 241 



E. c. thanneri — these birds are similar to those shot at Firgas 

 in Gran Canaria. 



Based on a further examination of this species, with the 

 additional material available^ I have come to the following 

 conclusions : — 



1. That the large dark-breasted birds cannot (at present) 

 be distinguished from Emberiza calandra calandra. In this 

 opinion I am supported by Dr. Sassi (vide Orn. Jahrb. 1908, 

 p. 34.). 



2. That these are the resident breeding birds which, with 

 one exception, were all found in the mountain districts. 



3. That the wing-measurements of these larger birds 

 vary in males from 94-102 mm., and in females from 92 mm. 



4. That the light-breasted small birds are confined to the 

 low coastal regions (likewise only one exception known). 



5. That the wing-measurements of this small race vary 

 in males from 87—90 mm., and in females from 85-87 mm. 



6. That the small light race has never been found breeding. 



. The evidence at present available points to this small race 

 being winter migrants, but from where is yet to be proved. 

 If it could be shown that these birds are migrants from a 

 neighbouring island or part of the African coast, I should 

 not have the slightest hesitation in giving to them a new sub- 

 specific name. Until their breeding-place is discovered such 

 a course can only lead to confusion, but it remains an un- 

 disputed fact that the birds from the coastal region of Gran 

 Canaria can be distinguished in life as well as in the skin 

 from the form inhabiting the mountains. 



During the expedition in the eastern islands we only met 

 with the Corn Bunting on one occasion, as we were crossing 

 the high plateau of the Monte Famara range in Lanzarote. 

 A single bird was obtained here which was actually the only 

 one seen throughout the trip. I have not been able to 

 discover at what season the Corn Bunting arrives in and 

 leaves the eastern islands. Polatzek writes that " it is a 

 frequent breeding bird on all the islands ; resident only on 

 the western isles; a bird of passage on the eastern." He 



SER. X. VOL. II. R 



