1-30 
li r.ACK-EAIlF.l) WITEATEAK. 
of the upper mandible is also shorter. Altogctlier 
it is very difficult to come to any other conclusion 
than that they are races of the same bird. On the 
whole, hoAvcver, it appears to have the rccpiisites of 
modern ornithology to constitute a species. 
The Rev. H. B. Tristram, whose knowledge of these 
birds is very considerable, and derived from that sure 
source, practical acquaintance in their own homes, writes 
me word — “S. stapazina and S. aurita differ from the 
youngest to the oldest stage constantly. They are both 
very common on the sides of the Atlas, esjDecially the 
southern. I have taken many nests, hut never knew 
the two cross. There is not the slightest difference in 
the sexes. The nests are alike. In the eggs, to judge 
from a small induction, stapazina has more spots col- 
lected in a zone at the broad end; in aurita they 
are more generally diffused over the surface. They 
build in niches in rocks and ruins, and on the ground 
or steep banks, or among the stum23s of old trees. 
They differ among themselves, I should say, as Whin- 
chat and Stonechat, and yet it is very curious how 
close, and yet how distinct they are. I have got a 
nest of each, taken from the same ruins.” 
On the other hand, Moquin-Tandon (‘‘Revue et 
Mag. de Zoologie,” July, 1858,) says, — “I for a long 
time thought the eggs of S. stapazina w'ere unicolorous, 
and those of S. aurita marked by brownish spots on 
the greater end. Fresh observations have shewn me 
that the eggs of the two s]3ecies are exactly alike, 
which has given additional weight to the o^^inions of 
Bonelli and Prince Charles Bona^Jarte, that these two 
SaxicolcB are one and the same species.” 
“The favourite resort of the Eared IFheatear,” says 
Mr. Salvin, (“Ibis,” vol. i., jEage 307,) “is among stony 
