OF Js^OHlHUMBEliLAIs^D AND DUUHAM. 67 



63. CYANECULA, Brehn. 



70. Bltxe-theoated Waeblee. C. Stjecica, (Lmnceus). 

 Sylvia Suecica, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Bii'ds, Ed. 1847, I., 159. 

 Plmnicura ,, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Bii'ds, Ed. 2, I., 254. 



The first recorded British example of this pretty bird and rare 

 casual visitant "was shot at the north boundary hedge of Newcastle 

 Town Moor, May 28th, 1826, by Thomas Wm. Embleton, Esq., 

 of jVlethley, near Leeds, and is now in the ]S"ewcastle IVIuseum. 



There are three forms or races of this interesting bird : one 

 characterized by a red spot on the blue throat, another by a white 

 spot, and the thii-d by the throat being entirely blue without 

 any spot. 



The JS'ewcastle bird belongs to the red-spotted form, as is 

 usually the case with the specimens "killed in England. I have 

 an example, however, which was taken in a Mghtingale trap, in 

 May, 1845, near London, and which I saw alive shortly after its 

 capture. This has the spot upon the throat a pure white, and is, 

 I believe, the first authenticated individual of this form that has 

 occTUTed in the British Islands: The blue-throated fonn has not 

 been taken in Britain. 



I have a good series illustrating all the three forms, and, after 

 a carefid examination of them, can find no character to lead to the 

 conclusion that they should rank as distinct species. 



64. RUTICILLA, Brehm. 



71. Bedstakt. R. PnoEiiriCTJEA, {Lt'nnceus). 



Si/lvia Phcenicurus, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, 1., 161. 

 Phcenicura ruticilla, Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 259. 



This pretty spring-and-autumn migrant is generally distributed 

 over both counties. 



The adult male is always distinguishable from the female. 

 After the autumnal moult, however, his brilliant tints are some- 

 what obsciu'ed by the greyish white margins of the feathers on 

 the underparts, and the grey above is likewise a little dulled at 

 this time with a warmish broAvn hue, caused also by the margins 



