THE BLACK-THROATED WHEATEAR. 

 Saxicola occidentalism Salvadori. 

 Plate 3. 



This handsome species, the Saxicola stapazina of Vieillot, is a summer visitor 

 to Southern Europe, moving southwards to warmer regions in winter. It was 

 first known as a British bird on 8th May 1875, when a specimen was shot 

 near Bury, Lancashire. A second example was obtained near Lydd, Kent, on 

 23rd May 1906, and a third, the first recorded in Scotland, on Fair Isle, Shetlands, 

 September 25, 1907 ; while two more were shot near Winchelsea on i6th and 

 19th May 1912. 



A female of either this species or the Black-eared Wheatear was also obtained on 

 St. Kilda, September 21, 191 1. 



Dr. Hartert, who considers these two birds, viz. the Black-throated and Black- 

 eared Wheatears, to be one and the same species, states (Witherby's British Birds, 

 vol. iv. p. 131) : " An unbiassed and careful study of a large series of skins, and last, 

 but not least, my own personal observations in company with the Hon. W. 

 Rothschild in Algeria, have confirmed Pastor Kleinschmidt's suspicion and the 

 observations of Messrs. Schiebel and Reiser." 



The nest, loose in texture, is made of dead grasses and bents, and placed in a 

 hole or cranny among rocks or ruined masonry. The eggs, varying in number 

 from four to five, are in colour pale green, speckled and marked with brown. 



In its habits and food this species is like the Common Wheatear. 



The female has the upper part of the back tawny-brown, with the rump white, 

 as in the male, the tail also being similar. The throat is dull white, and the under- 

 parts buffish-white. 



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