2 
THE present species or form of Yellow Wagtail, differing in always having the head deep slaty 
blue, with the sides black, and in lacking the white superciliary stripe, appears to be, as a rule, 
the most boreal of the various Yellow Wagtails during the breeding-season; but at other seasons 
of the year it is found almost everywhere together with Motacilla flava, though in much smaller 
numbers. I do not find any record of its occurrence in Great Britain; but it is common in 
Northern Scandinavia, where it is the predominant form during the nesting-season, whereas in 
the southern lowlands it is replaced by typical JZ, flava, which, however, is less numerous than 
the present species. In Norway it is found in the northern districts, on the Dovrefjeld, and up 
northwards into East Finmark, where, according to Pastor Sommerfelt, it breeds numerously. 
Professor Sundevall states that in Sweden the present species is found on the Angermanelf in 
63° N. lat., and inhabits the entire country north of that up to Finmark, where it is met with 
at Alten and Hammerfest, but scarcely at the North Cape. In Lapland, he adds, it does not 
range above the conifer-region. In Finland I met with the present species breeding in tolerable 
abundance near Uleaborg, where I did not observe any of the southern race (JZ. flava); and all 
the specimens I have seen from the Archangel Government, in Northern Russia, are referable to 
the present species. It is rather difficult to define the range of this species in Continental 
Europe; but it may be said to occur in most parts during passage, but is much less common 
than the typical form. It has not been known to occur in Germany, except during passage ; 
and Baron De Selys Longchamps speaks of it as being found accidentally during passage in 
Belgium, and he obtained an adult example near Liége on the 18th May, 1832. Messrs. 
Degland and Gerbe speak of it as being found in Southern France, and as of accidental occur- 
rence in the northern provinces, and add that it has been found in the Lille market in the 
spring of the year. It appears to be rare in Western Europe; but Mr. Saunders possesses 
a specimen from Granada that I have examined, and which is certainly the present species. 
From Italy I have received several specimens; but Count Salvadori says that it is less common 
than JZ. flava; it is said, however, to have been found breeding in Piedmont, Tuscany, and in 
the island of Sicily. Mr. C. A. Wright states (Ibis, 1864, p. 62) that it occurs at Malta during 
passage, together with J/7. flava, in March and in September; and Lord Lilford writes (Ibis, 1860, 
p. 229) that great numbers arrive in Corfu about the middle of April, but that he never found 
its nest, though he observed a few pairs during the whole summer. He does not, however, 
include J. flava in his list, and therefore his remarks may probably refer to that species as well 
as the present bird; and I find that the various authors on the ornithology of Greece unite the 
present species with J/. flava, so that it is difficult to ascertain how far this bird is common 
there or not. It appears to occur in Southern Germany; for Fritsch says that, according to 
Palliardi, it has on several occasions been obtained near Franzensbad, in Bohemia. I never 
observed it in the countries skirting the Danube, nor have I ever seen it amongst the Yellow 
Wagtails sent by Mr. Robson from Turkey; but it is said by Eversmann (J. f. O. 1853, p. 289) 
to be not uncommon near Orenburg, in South-eastern Russia, and he remarks that flocks of the 
present species keep apart and never intermix with the flocks of MWotacilla flava which are found 
in the same localities. It doubtless occurs in Asia Minor and Palestine during passage; but, 
though stated by Canon Tristram to have been found by him at Jericho, I have ascertained on 
examining the specimens obtained by him, that he did not meet with the present species, but 
