200 



cassell's book of birds. 



THE WHITE-TAILED WHEATEAR. 

 The White-tailed Wheatear {Dromolaa-Saxicola-kucura) is about seven inches and a quarter 

 long, and eleven and three-quarters broad ; the wing measures three inches and two-thirds, and the 

 tail two inches and three-quarters. The plumage is of an uniform rich black ; the wing-quills are 

 grey towards their roots, and a band of dazzling white adorns the extremity of the tail. The female 

 is deep brown, but similar to her mate in appearance. The young male and female respectively 

 resemble the father and mother, but are paler. This species inhabits Southern Europe, and almost 

 invariably resorts to its most mountainous districts. In Spain it is particularly numerous, and is also 

 frequently seen in Southern Italy, Greece, and North-western Africa. In the latter portion of the 



THE EARED STONE CHAT (Saxicola auritd). 



globe and in Asia it is replaced by several nearly allied species. In all these various regions it shows 

 a decided preference for barren heights and rocky precipices, and is as constantly met with on rugged 

 peaks, at an altitude of 500 feet above the sea, as upon the masses of dislodged stone that strew the 

 declivities of the mountains. The darker the colour of the rock, the more dreary and desolate the 

 situation, the more attractive it appears to be, as the blackness of the stone accords well with the 

 dusky plumage of the birds, and renders concealment comparatively easy. 



Those who have ventured to scale the rugged heights and steep precipices frequented by these 

 birds, are often startled by the icund of their clear, sweet voices, as they suddenly salute the ear 

 in situations apparently destitute of animal life, whilst those whose patience will permit them to 

 follow the sound until they come to the spot upon which a pair have taken up their abode, will 

 behold a performance that richly repays the trouble of a tedious climb. Upon a ledge or platform 

 of rock he will see the male bird either tripping lightly around the open space, or executing a regular 



