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Mr. Blanford brought back a large series from Persia. Severtzoff says that it is to some extent 

 a migrant in Turkestan, but is also found breeding throughout the country. During the winter 

 it occurs in the plains and in the Karatau and Thian-shan Mountains up to an altitude of about 

 6000 feet, and in the summer it frequents the Thian-shan range, and breeds from 6000 feet up 

 to the line of eternal snow. In Siberia Von Middendorff met with it on the 5th of June on the 

 Taimyr river, in 73J° N. lat, and found it exceedingly numerous up to 75° N. lat. On the 

 Boganida numbers were seen by him on the 17th of August; and he met with it in the Sajan 

 Mountains, but not in South-eastern Siberia. Dr. G. Radde met with it everywhere when 

 travelling towards Eastern Siberia, and says that it was common at Lake Baikal, but in the 

 Transbaikal country it was much rarer, and on the elevated steppes it is entirely replaced by 

 Scuxicola isabellina. He found fledged young at Lake Baikal on the 10th of July, and says that 

 he carefully compared his adult specimens with European Wheatears and found no difference. 

 Dr. Dybowski records it as common in Dauria; and Mr. R. Swinhoe (P. Z. S. 1871, p. 360) says 

 that it inhabits the central mountains pf extreme Ordo (north-west of Pekin), where, according 

 to David, it breeds. It occurs in India in the winter season, when it is said to be not unfrequent 

 in the upper provinces ; but Dr. Jerdon and several other ornithologists have confused Saxicola 

 isabellina and the present species, which in winter plumage are not very dissimilar, and there- 

 fore it is rather difficult to define the range of the present species in that part of Asia. It is 

 found in North America, in the north-western portion of the continent, and probably breeds in 

 Alaska. Mr. Dall (B. of Alaska, p. 276) says that " several large flocks of this species were seen 

 at Nulato, May 23rd and 24th, 1868, and a number of specimens obtained. They are reported 

 to be abundant on the dry, stony hill-tops, where the deer congregate, but rare along the river." 

 It has of latter years been met with in the eastern portions of North America, but not further 

 south than New York. Professor Baird suggests that it may possibly breed in Labrador or 

 Newfoundland ; but Professor Newton remarks that Mr. Reeks did not observe it during his stay 

 in the latter. It is recorded from the Bermudas by Major Wedderburn, who says that one was 

 shot there on the 5th October, 1846 ; and Colonel Drummond-Hay and the latter gentleman saw 

 a second in March 1850. 



In its habits the Wheatear resembles its other allies, differing from the Stone-Chat and 

 Whin-Chat in being a frequenter of open places, often almost barren localities, and especially 

 plains. On arriving at the English coast they spread about the downs and open places near the 

 sea-shore, and rest for a time before scattering throughout the country to their breeding-stations. 

 Ornithologists living on the south coast of England say that the birds which arrive first vary in 

 size from those which arrive later ; but I find that the size of examples from various localities 

 varies considerably, those from Greenland being the largest, whereas specimens from Palestine, 

 and some from Egypt, are the smallest, intermediate forms being found from localities in various 

 parts of Europe. The Wheatear does not perch on trees or bushes, but is essentially a ground- 

 bird, hops on the ground with great ease, and is tolerably shy and exceedingly active and restless. 

 When it stops it inclines its body slightly, and jerks its tail. Its flight is low and not powerful, 

 and it keeps close to the surface of the ground, and alights before it has traversed any great 

 distance. It is most frequently seen perched on a clod, a stone, or on a stone wall, and it exhibits 

 a great predilection for stony localities. Its song is short, but sweet, and is uttered either whilst 



