STONECHAT. 
113 
In distribution, it is pretty generally diffused in 
suitable localities over Britain and Ireland, reach- 
ing northward to Sutherland* and the Hebrides.-]- 
On the Continent, also, it is not uncommon, mi- 
grating in some parts. Out of Europe, it has 
been seen at Smyrna, J the Dukhun in India, § 
Japan, || Senegal, IT and in southern Africa.** The 
specimens, however, which we have received from 
the latter country seem to vary in some respects. 
This range may be considered as one of the most 
extensive shewn by our British birds, and the 
authorities we have mentioned are in general con- 
sidered of high respectability. 
The male in summer has the head and throat 
black, the back of the same colour, having the 
feathers edged with yellowish brown ; wings and 
tail black ; sides of the neck, upper parts of the 
wings and rump, white ; breast and flanks orange- 
brown, shading into yellowish-white on the belly. 
In winter, the feathers of the head and throat 
assume yellow tips, and appear brown, and on the 
back the yellow edges also lengthen. In the 
female, during summer, the black parts are brown, 
and the white is less in extent ; the breast is yel- 
lowish-brown. The young above are brownish- 
black, the centre of each feather marked in a trian- 
gular form with brownish-yellow. The white 
portion of the rump is reddish-brown ; the under 
surface is entirely yellowish-brown, waved on the 
breast with umber-brown. 
* Selby. t M‘ Gillivray. { Strickland. § Sykes. 
J Temminck. Swainson. ** Vaillant and Smith. 
H 
