3 
Professor Newton states that it has occurred twice in Greenland, as one was sent from the 
Southern Inspectorate in 1849, and another was obtained by Dr. Walker at Godhayn in August 
1857. It is a tolerably common summer visitant to Iceland and the Feroes, and is numerous in 
Scandinavia. Mr. Collett informs me that it is everywhere to be met with in Norway from 
Lindesnes to the North Cape, and in the fells to as high an elevation as inhabitants are found. 
It breeds numerously near the coast, generally close to human habitations; and occasionally 
stragglers remain over winter on the south coast during mild seasons. 
Professor Sundevall states that in Sweden this Wagtail is found as far north as settlers 
have taken up their residence in the wood-region, as for example, at Quickjock, Juckasjarvi, 
Karesuando, &c., but it does not occur on the fells and in Finmark proper. I observed it 
everywhere in Finland, where it is a common summer visitant, and the bird most earnestly 
looked for and welcomed by the peasantry, who say that when the White Wagtail appears they 
are sure to have summer at once. Throughout Russia in Europe it is common, ranging far 
north in the Archangel Government, and being very generally distributed; and the same may 
be said respecting its occurrence in the Baltic Provinces, Germany, France, &c., where it is a 
summer visitant, though sometimes remaining over winter, especially in the southern parts. 
Mr. Carl Sachse informs me that it arrives in Rhenish Prussia early in February in mild seasons, 
and as late as the early part of March in severe ones: thus in 1864 and 18665 the first arrived on 
the Ist March, in 1866 on the 13th February, 1867 14th February, 1870 3rd February, 1871 
2nd March, 1873 5th February, and 1875 7th March, the males always arriving about a week 
before the females. It seems that it arrives much later than this in Denmark; for, according to 
Kjerbélling, it arrived at Elsinore in 1829 on the Ist April, in 1837 on the 26th April, and in 
1844-46 from the Ist to the 7th April. Mr. Labouchere informs me that it arrives in Holland 
in March and leaves again in October; and the same may be said as regards the north of France. 
It is stated by Professor Barboza du Bocage to be common in Portugal; and it is said by the 
various authors on Spanish ornithology to be numerous in that country in the winter; but Colonel 
Irby states that he never observed it later than the 16th March in Andalucia. It also both 
winters and breeds in Italy, but is more numerous during the summer. Mr. C. A. Wright says 
(Ibis, 1864, p. 62) that in Malta it is “common in autumn, and stays the winter; is seen gene- 
rally in small flocks, or solitary by the sides of pools and in newly ploughed fields. Leaves early 
in spring, and is rarely observed in the breeding-plumage.” Lord Lilford states that it is 
resident in Corfu, but that he only observed it on the mainland of Greece during the winter 
season; and Dr. Kriiper says that it winters numerously in Greece, frequenting the plains and 
the vicinity of the towns, and breeds in the mountain districts. In Southern Germany it is 
numerous during the summer, but only remains over winter in mild seasons; and the same may 
be said of Southern Russia. Mr. Goebel, however, says that it rarely breeds in the Uman 
district. I have received many specimens from Turkey, chiefly shot during passage; and 
Dr. Kriiper informs me that it is common in Asia Minor. Dr. ‘Tristram writes respecting its 
occurrence in Palestine (Ibis, 1866, p. 290) as follows:—“It is very abundant everywhere in 
winter, but becomes scarce as the spring advances, and is not seen at all in the south in summer. 
A few remain to breed in Galilee, where, in the hills, we took the nest.” Mr. C. W. Wyatt 
found it universally distributed on the Sinaitic peninsula; and it is stated to be a common winter 
3B2 
22 
FX 
