BUS SET WEE ATE AE. 97 



The Russet Wheatear is principally found among the rocky moun- 

 tains of tlie soutli of Europe; it is not common in the southern 

 parts of Italy, more so in Dalmatia, in the Archipelago, and the 

 south of France. It is also common on the rocky shores of the 

 Mediterranean, but, according to Temmiiick, it is very rare in the 

 north of Italy; seldom found in the Pyrenees, and never in the 

 centre of Europe. It is noticed by the Hon. T. L. Powys, among 

 the birds observed by him in the Ionian Islands. It is common at 

 Gibraltar. It is mentioned by Mr. Taylor among the birds found by 

 him on the Nile; by the Rev. H. B. Tristram in Northern Africa; 

 by Mr. Salvin in the Eastern Atlas; by Dr. Heuglin among the 

 birds of the Red Sea, ''Ibis," vol. i. ; and by Mr. Carte among the 

 birds of passage in the southern parts of the Crimea. It is also 

 stated by Captain Loche to be found in the three provinces of 

 Algeria. It does not occur in Mr. Hodgson's "Catalogue of Indian 

 Birds," though the family is well represented. Neither is it included 

 in Dr. Adams's "Birds of Cashmere." In North America the Saxi- 

 coUncB are represented by the genus Sialia of Swainson, containing, 

 however, only three species. 



The habits of the Russet Wheatear are very similar to those of the 

 other members of the family, between some of which there is a 

 very strong affinity — quite sufficient, according to Mr. Tristram's 

 observations, to justify the inference that they may be considered as 

 races or permanent varieties of the same species. Between S. stapa- 

 zina and S. homocliroa, says this gentleman, widely as they appear 

 separated, a well-chosen series of the numerous African species of 

 the class, "will exhibit a range of transitions so imjDcrceptible, that 

 it will be found very difficult without careful comparison to draw a 

 line between one species and another." — "Ibis," vol. i., p. 432. 



This bird, says Mr. Salvin, at page 307 of the same work, is found 

 in similar situations, and appears equally distributed with 'S'. aurita, 

 whose favourite resort is among stony ground at the foot of hills 

 or old ruins. "No difference is noticeable between the eggs of these 

 species." 



In general distribution of colour Mr. Tristram says there is much 

 resemblance to the Desert Chat, but the bill and tarsi are one-third 

 less in length; the black of the throat does not extend so far, and 

 in the latter, the head and back are of a more sombre isabel colour. 

 Mr. Tristram says "that without exception the upper plumage of 

 every bird, whether Lark, Chat, Sylvian, or Sand Grouse, and also 

 the fur of all the small mammals, and the skins of all the snakes 

 VOL. II. o 



