I'^O BLACK-EARED AVHEATEAH. 



of the upper mandible is also shorter. Altogether 

 it is very difficult to come to any other conclusion 

 than that they are races of the same bird. On the 

 whole, however, it appears to have the requisites of 

 modern ornithology to constitute a species. 



The Kev. 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'. azitita differ from the 

 youngest to the oldest stage constantly. They are both 

 very common on the sides of the Atlas, especially the 

 southern. I have taken many nests, but 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, Sta^mzina 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 stumps 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 were 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 species are exactly alike, 

 which has given additional weight to the opinions of 

 Bonelli and Prince Charles Bonaparte, that these two 

 Saxicolce are one and the same species." 



"The favourite resort of the Eared Wheatear," says 

 Mr. Salvin, ("Ibis," vol. i., page oOT,) "is among stonv 



