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NATURAL HISTORY
V
GUIDE TO THE BIRDS OF EUROPE
AND iNORTH AFRICA
' ' GUIDE TO THE
BIRDS OF EUROPE AND
NORTH AFRICA
BY
Colonel R. G. WARDLAW RAMSAY
President of the British Ornithologists' Union^ igi^-igiH
Fellow of the Zoological Society
WITH A BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR BY
WILLIA?^! EAGLE CLARKE, LL.D.
GURNEY AND JACKSON
LONDON: z?> PATERNOSTER ROW
EDINBURGH: TWEEDDALE COURT
1923
G>
b-G ^-^^"^
PRINTED IN GREAT BRITAIN BY
OLIVER AND BOYD. EDINBURGH
PREFACE
Several years previous to his death, Colonel Wardlaw
Ramsay, realising that a concise pocket " Guide to the Birds of
Europe and North Africa" was a great desideratum, devoted
much time to the preparation of such a work, and on many
occasions consulted me on various matters as it progressed.
A few days before he passed away he had premonitions that
his end was near and said to me as I sat beside him, "If
I do not pull through this illness, I leave my unfinished
book to you quite unconditionally : publish it or not as
you think best." On examination, the draft manuscript was
found to be practically complete so far as the descriptions of
the various species and racial forms, and their geographical
distribution, were concerned ; but otherwise much remained
to be done before the work would be in a state to send to the
Press. Being engaged on other ornithological work at the
moment, it was unfortunately impossible for me to give
the necessary attention to the " Guide," but on mentioning
the situation to my friend Surgeon-Rear-Admiral Stenhouse,
M.B.O.U., he at once kindly volunteered to help me, and
it is entirely due to his valued co-operation that this work
has so promptly appeared.
Most of the measurements given have been taken by
l)r Stenhouse from specimens in the Royal Scottish Museum :
when sufficient material was not available, the measurements
have been copied from the works of Dr Hartert ( Vogel der
paldarktischen Fauna\ and Mr VVitherby {^Handbook of
British Birds), and are acknowledged by " H." and " \\'."
vi PREFACE
within brackets. The bill measurements, unless otherwise
stated, are from the level of the end of the frontal feathers
in a straight line to the tip of the bill, i.e., in a curved bill,
like a Falcon's, the measurement is not that of the chord
of the curve. Measurements are in millimetres, and for the
convenience of those who are not familiar with the metric
system it may be said that twenty-five millimetres are
practically equal to one inch.
The systematic arrangement followed is that of Hartert's
work previously mentioned, but Colonel Wardlaw Ramsay
did not adopt Hartert's nomenclature in all cases.
WM. EAGLE CLARKE,
Colonel R. G. WARDLAW RAMSAY
3n /ll!)einoviani
ROBERT GEORGE WARDLAW RAMSAY.
Robert George Wardlaw Ramsay was the only son of
Robert Balfour Wardlaw Ramsay of Whitehill, Midlothian,
and Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire, and Louisa, third
daughter of George, eighth Marquess of Tweeddale. He
was educated at Cheam and Harrow, and elected to follow
a military career. He received his Commission in the
Hampshire Regiment in January 1871, and soon after left
for India; went through the Afghan Campaign, and saw
service in Burmah and the Andaman Islands. Later he
transferred to the Highland Light Infantry, afterwards
commanding the 7th Volunteer Battalion of the Royal
Scots, and eventually acting as Chairman of the Territorial
Force Association. During the Great War he commanded
a Brigade of the Territorial Force Reserve on Coast
Defences.
He retired from the Army on the death of his father in
1882, and from that year until his death he took an active
part in County affairs. He was Deputy-Chairman for the
County of Midlothian ; Chairman of the Territorial Forces
for that County; Chairman of the Edinburgh and East of
Scotland College of Agriculture, and was also closely asso-
ciated with charitable work. Though by nature reserved
in manner, he was a singularly attractive personality to
those who knew him intimately — a man who lived up
to high ideals, and the personification of all that was
viii IN MEMORIAM
honourable and best. He was the revered friend of the
writer of this notice for over thirty years.
Colonel Wardlaw Ramsay, who had been keenly interested
in the study of birds from boyhood, was elected a Member
of the British Ornithologists' Union in 1872, and its
President from 191 3 to 1918; and was a Fellow of the
Zoological Society. He commenced to contribute to orni-
thological literature in 1S74, as is indicated by the list of
his various papers which forms the conclusion of this notice.
On the death of his uncle, Arthur, ^larquess of Tweeddale,
who was for many years the distinguished President
of the Zoological Society, Wardlaw Ramsay inherited the
vast collection of birds formed by that nobleman. This
the inheritor generously presented to the British Museum
(Natural History), on condition that a set of duplicate
specimens was to be sent to the Edinburgh Museum. He
also handed over the very valuable ornithological library,
which came to him with the collections, to the Natural
History Museum, on condition it was placed in the Bird-
room for the use of the officers and students working there.
It is now known as the Tweeddale Library. In 1881 he
edited and revised a memorial volume entitled The Ornitho-
logical Works of Arthur^ Ninth Marquess of Tweeddale, a
quarto of 760 pages. During the last years of his life, his
ornithological activities were devoted to the preparation of this
"Guide," which he did not live to see in book form.
Colonel Wardlaw Ramsay was in his seventieth year, and
had been seriously ill for about a month, when he passed
away on the 22nd April 192 1. He married the elder daughter
of Mr Charles Swinton Hogg, Administrator-General of Bengal,
and second son of Sir James Weir Hogg, Bart, by whom, as
well as three sons and two daughters, he is survived.
IN MEMOKIAM ix
The following is a List of Papers contributed l)y the Intc
Colonel R. G. ^Vardla^v Ramsay : —
"Description of a New Species of \Voodpecker (^Gecinus erythro/^yguis) from
, British Burmah." Proc. Zoo/. Soc, 1874, pp. 212-215.
"Ornithological Notes from the district of Karen-nee, Burmah." If>ts,
1875, pp. 348-353-
"On an undescribed species of Nuthatcii (^Sitta jnagna) and another bird
{Orocetes erythiogaster') from Karen-nee." Proc. Zoo/. Soc. 1876, p. 677.
"Notes on some Burmese Birds." /di's, 1877, pp. 452-473.
"A Synopsis of the genus Pomatorliinus.'' Ihis, 1878, pp. 129-145.
" Description of a new Oriole from Borneo (Orioliis co>/so/>rini/s)." Proc.
Zoo/. Soc. 1879, P- 709-
"Ornithological Notes from Afghanistan" (Xos. I. and II.). //>is, 1S79,
pp. 444-449; 18S0, pp. 45-71.
Contributions to the Ornithology of Sumatra : — " Report on a collection
from the neighbourhood of Padang." Proc. Zoo/. Soc. 1880, pp. 13-16.
"Descriptions of Two New Species of Birds (^Ana/cipus co>isarigit in f ns nnd
Edo/ioso))ia a/terum').^'' Ibis, 1881, pp. 32-34.
"Descriptions of Two New Species of Birds from Sumatra {Hcmrxus
sumatranns and Criniger sumatranus.'^ Ann. Mag. Hist. x. 1882, p. 431.
"Catalogue of the Tweeddale Collections." I/)is, 1884, p. 123.
Contributions to the Ornithology of the Philippine Islands: — No. i, "On
two collections of Birds from the vicinity of Manila." I/'is, 1S84,
p. 330. No. 2, "On additional collections of Birds." I/>is, 1886,
p. 15.
"On the Columbine genus Macropygm and its allies." llns, 1890, p. 214.
"On a New Genus of the Order Columbx\" //'/.s 1890, p. 246.
\V. E. C.
CONTENTS
Passerks
Cypseli
Caprimulgi
Meropes
Upup/E
CORACI^
Halcyones
PiCI .
CUCULI
Striges
accipitres
CiRESSORES
rH(ENICOPTEF
Anseres
Steganopodes
TU PIN ARES
Pygopodes
COLUMPyi-.
PTEROCLE'IES
LlMICOL/E
Lari .
Alc/E .
A lector IDES
Turnices
Galli .
INDEX
I'AOK
I
147
149
151
153
154
154
156
T65
167
204
212
213
235
239
246
251
255
258
2QO
309
322
322
335
BIRDS OF EUROPE AND
NORTH AFRICA
PASSERES.
Perching birds : 3 toes in front, i behind.
CORVID^.
The largest Passeres. Wing with 10 primaries, of which
the I St is short, but ahvays longer than primary coverts, and
about half the length of 2nd ; nares covered with bristles.
CORVUS.
Mostly black with metallic sheen ; nasal bristles prone ;
omnivorous ; nest in cliffs or trees, or occasionally on ground ;
eggs 4-5, pale bluish or greenish ground colour, blotched or
spotted with black or brown.
Corvus corax corax L. Raven. Fr. Corbeau ; Ger.
Kolkrabe ; Ital. Corvo imperiale ; Swcd. Korp.
^j $ lilack, with steel blue and purple gloss ; throat feathers
hackled ; feathers grey at base ; nasal bristles long and stiff,
liill, legs and feet black. Wing ^ 400-436, 9 395-420 (W.).
Tarsus 63-6S. Bill 62-68, greatest height 31. Young are dull
black with throat feathers short and rounded.
Resident. — Europe generally, including Faroes (" C. c. varius,"
feather bases whitish and less purple gloss on feathers), Britain,
Iceland ("C. c. islandicus," feathers rather greenish tinged),
south to Pyrenees, Alps, Apennines, Crete (Meinertzhagen) and
possibly Greece ; and in W. Siberia.
C. corax hispanus Hartert and Kleinschniidt. Rather smaller,
wing not exceeding 430 ; throat hackles very short. Intermediate
A
2 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
between typical "corax" and "tingitanus" as to bill, which is
high and strong and more curved than in " corax," longer than
in "tingitanus."
Resident — Spain and Portugal, Corsica, Sardinia.
" C. c. sardus " Kleinschmidt appears inseparable from this race.
C. corax canariensis Hartert and Kleinschmidt. Bill as in
typical "corax,'' but smaller, as is entire bird. Wing 390-415 (H.).
From "tingitanus" distinguished by its weaker, straighter and
less high beak.
Resident. — Canary Islands.
C. corax tingitanus Irby. Bill shorter, higher, stouter,
length 60-64 ; throat hackles shorter ; wing not over 430 ; upper
back tinged brown in worn plumage.
Resident. — N. Africa from W. Egypt (Solium) to Morocco, south
to Atlas. Accidental Madeira.
C. corax laurencei Hume. Intermediate between typical
"corax" and larger eastern "tibetanus" (which has wing 480-497
and very long throat hackles). Becomes very brown on head
in worn plumage. Wing 400-450.
Resident. — From Greece, through Asia Minor, E. to N. W. India.
C. corax ruflcollis Lesson. Smaller. Bill more slender ;
head, neck, and occasional feathers on underparts brownish at
all seasons except just after moult, but most marked in worn
plumage; neck feathers whitish at base. "Wing 350-420. Bill
from skull 57-75. Height 20-25-5 " (Meinertzhagen).
Resident. — N. Africa in desert places, from Cape de Verdes
to Egypt ; south of range of "tingitanus" in Morocco, Tunis, and
Algeria ; also through Palestine to India.
Corvus rhipidurus Hartert. Fantailed Raven.
$ $ Bill 'short and much curved; nasal bristles fan-shaped,
pointing upwards ; primaries and secondaries very long in pro-
portion to tail, which is short and broad. Wing 340-410. Tail
140-160. Tarsus 55. Bill 50-60 (H.).
Reside?it. — N.E. Africa, Middle and Upper Egypt, Arabia, and
Palestine.
Corvus cornix cornix L. Hooded Crow. Fr. Corneille
mantelee; Ger. Nebelkriihe; Jtal. Cornacchia; Swed. Gra Kraka.
PASSERES— CORVID.E 3
(^ 9 Black, glossed with blue and violet ; neck (sides and
behind), back, and underparts ashy grey. Bill, legs and feet
bkick. Wing rC 315-338, $ 295-319. Tarsus 53-60. Bill 46-52.
Breeds. — Europe generally, E. and N. of a line from Elbe and
Rhine down to Italy ; Ireland, Isle of Man, Mid and N. Scotland,
Faroes. Partial migrant ; occurs in winter Holland, Belgium,
England, Switzerland, W. Germany. Of rare occurrence in N.W.
Africa. Interbreeds with " C. corone'' and hybrids are fertile.
C. comix sardonius Kleinschmidt. Smaller. Wing $ 280-
324, $ 27S-317 (Meinertzhagen).
Resident. — Corsica, Sardinia, Balkans, Palestine, Egypt.
C. comix kaukasicus Gengler. Grey with strong brown
tinge, especially on back ; shaft streaks dark grey, not very
conspicuous ; wings also strongly tinged with brown, neck lighter
blue gloss ; bases of feathers pale grey.
Resident. — Caucasus.
C. comix minos Meinertzhagen. Nearest " C. c. pallescens"
froni Cyprus, a very pale form approaching " C. capellanus" from
the Persian Gulf, but differs in longer wing and deeper and
longer beak. Wing 313-327 ("pallescens" 294-299). Culmen
55-61, height 20-22 ("pallescens" 49-56, height 17-5-19).
(Meinertzhagen.)
Resident. — Crete ; may prove to occur also in Greek islands.
Corvus corone corone L. Carrion Crow. Fr. Corneille
noir ; Ger. Rabenkriihe ; Itai. Cornacchia nera.
^ $ Black, glossed with purple, greener on wings and tail ;
nostrils covered with feathers. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing
310-324. Tarsus 52-59. Bill 47-52. Young may be distinguished
from those of Rook by white bases to feathers of body.
lirccds. — England, S. and C. Scotland, Denmark, Holland,
Belgium, France, N. Spain and Portugal, W. Germany, Switzer-
land, Bohemia, N. Italy, and from E. Russia east to Yenisei.
Largely resident ; occurs in winter in C. and S. Italy, and W.
Mediterranean Isles, Azores and Madeira.
Corvus frugilegus friigilegus L. Rook. Fr. Coibeau-
Freux ; dcr. Saatkrahe ; Jhil. Corvo nero ; Siucd. Raka.
<^ 9 Black, glossed with purple and violet ; bases of feathers
4 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
grey; bill more slender and pointed than in "corone"; base of
bill and front part of face bare and skin very rough. Bill, legs
and feet black. Wing 292-320. Tarsus 52-54. 311149-54. Young
are duller, with root of bill feathered and nostrils covered.
Breeds. — Europe generally, including British Isles, from about
64° N., south to S. France, N. Italy, Dobrudscha, Crimea. Occurs
in winter Spain, Portugal, Mediterranean basin and islands.
Algeria (occasional), Egypt, Caucasus, Azores (occasional),
Madeira (rare). Migrates from northern part of breeding range.
Resident Britain, and many migrants come there in winter
from East.
Corvus monedula monedula L. Jackdaw. Fr. Choucas
gris ; Gc}'. Dohle ; ItaL Taccola ; Swed. Kaja.
$ $ adult. Black, glossed purple and green on wings and
tail ; crown bright purple, back and rump greyer, nape and neck
whitish grey, whiter (almost forming a white patch) on sides ;
beneath dark slate grey with a brown tinge. Bill, legs and
feet black. Iris bluish white. Wing 220-243. Tarsus 42-46.
Bill 28-32.
Breeds. — Scandinavia, Finland, Baltic Provinces. Possibly
some migrate, but has not yet been recorded as occurring
elsewhere.
C. monedula spermologus Vieillot. Darker, especially on
underparts ; neck not so pale grey and no indication of white
neck patches.
Breeds. — British Isles ; Europe south of range of typical
"monedula" and west of Russia, to Italy, Sicily, Malta, Sardinia
and Morocco. Partly migratory ; occurs in winter in Corsica,
Greece, Canary Islands (rare).
C. monedula collaris Drummond. Paler on underparts than
preceding forms ; white neck patches almost form a collar.
Breeds. — Russia, Balkan States, Greece, Caucasus. Also W.
Asia (Asia Minor to Kashmir). Occurs in winter in E. Prussia
and Poland, but is largely resident.
C. monedula cirtensis Rothschild and Hartert. Paler than
" spermologus," pure slate grey with no brown tinge, neck greyer.
In worn plumage very brown, and sometimes brown feathers,
PASSERRS-COUVID.E 5
especially on wing^s, survive tlie moult and arc found in winter
with fresh strewn i^rey feathers.
A't'j-/Vt7//.— Constantine, N. Algeria.
Pica.
Black-and-white Crow-like birds with long, graduated tail ;
ist primary sickle-shaped; food, worms, snails, acorns, eggs,
small mammals and birds, rarely carrion ; nest large, domed,
in trees or bushes : eggs pale bluish white or yellowish olive,
spotted or blotched with purplish grey or greenish brown.
Pica pica pica (L.). Magpie. F}-. Pie ordinaire ; Ger.
Elster ; Ital. Cecca ; Swed. Skata.
c^ $ Black, with green and violet reflections ; a grey or dull
white bar on rump ; scapulars and abdomen white ; thighs and
under tail coverts black. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing $
192-195, 9 182-187. Tarsus 45-52. Bill 30-36.
Resident. — Europe generally (including British Isles), except
.Spain and Portugal and extreme N.E. of Russia ; also W. Asia
(Asia Minor to Persia).
P. pica bactriana Bonaparte. Rump band very marked,
mostly white. Wing 210-227 (H.). A N. Asian race, which is
found to the west in the Ural Mountains. Two specimens from
Petchora, N.E. Russia, in Harvie-Brown collection belong to this
form. Wing $ 217, 9 210.
P. pica melanota Brehm. Back and rump black, or rump
band very indistinctly marked.
Resident. — Spain and Portugal.
P. pica mauritanica Malherbe. Rump entirely black ; behind
eye a naked cobalt blue patch ; size smaller. Wing 155-165 (M.).
Resident. — N.W. Africa, Tunis to Morocco.
Cyanopica.
Resemble Magpies in habits and structure, but not in
plumage; ist primary normal in shape; nest cup-shaped, on
trees ; eggs greenish white or buff marked with purplish or
dark brown.
6 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Cyanopica cyanus cooki Bonaparte. Azure-winged
MAGriE.
(^ 9 Above dove grey, head black, secondaries blue ;
primaries black with white edges ; tail blue with white tips ;
beneath white, flanks and under tail coverts washed with ashy-
brown. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing 128-136. Tarsus 33-36.
Bill 17-21.
Resident. — S. and Middle Spain and Portugal. Typical
''cyanus" and another subspecies are found in N.E. Asia.
NUCIFRAGA.
Resemble Jays in habits; food, nuts, cone-seeds, insects,
berries ; nest, cup in trees, generally conifers ; eggs greenish
white, finely marked with pale liver brown.
Nucifraga caryocatactes caryocatactes (L.). Nut-
cracker. Fj-. Chasse noix ; Gcr. Tannenhiiher ; lial. Nocciolaja ;
Swed. Notkraka.
$ $ Colour dark chocolate with white spots ; tail tipped
with white, spots 5-10 m.m. long. Bill thick and blunt, black.
Legs and feet black. Wing 180-195. Tarsus 35-40. Bill 4i-43j
depth at angle 13-16.
B?reds. — Scandinavia to about 64° N., Baltic Provinces, Lap-
land, Finland, Russia (from Jaroslav and Moscow to Urals and
south to Ekaterinburg), E. Prussia, Denmark (occasional), S.
Germany and Bohemia, Alpine system of C. Europe to Car-
pathians, Montenegro, Croatian littoral, and Pyrenees. Resident.
Rare visitor elsewhere including Britain, generally in autumn and
winter.
N. caryocatactes macrorhynchus Brehm. Bill longer, more
slender and pointed, 42-50 m.m. long, 12-14 cleep at angle;
white spots on outer tail feathers longer, about 25-30 m.m.
A Siberian breeding race ; occasionally occurs in winter as far
west as Britain, France, and Pyrenees, south to N. Italy and
Hungary.
Garrulus.
Crow-like; crested, with a chequered blue and black
patch on wings ; food, insects, fruit, eggs, small mammals
TASSKUKS- CORVID.K 7
and l)irds; nest, cup in tree or bush; eggs greenish white
wilii hrown spots and a few hiaek hair lines.
Garrulus glandarius glandarius (L.) Jav. Fr. (.cai ;
Gcr. Eichelhaher ; Ital. Ghiandaja ; Swed. Notskrika.
(^ 9 Above vinous brown tinged grey, especially on back ;
crown streaked, feathers black with broad white margins ; rump
and upper tail coverts white ; tail black with faint blue bars ;
secondaries black, base of outer three white, innermost chestnut
with black tips ; wing coverts barred black and blue ; ear coverts,
sides of neck, and hind neck vinous ; beneath dull vinous, chin
and throat white. Iris bluish white. Bill black. Legs and feet
flesh colour. Wing 172-190. Tarsus 40-43. Bill 21-25.
iiV-tVvA-.— Continental Europe from about 65° in Norway east to
Urals, south to Pyrenees and N. Spain, Sicily, Italy, Greece,
S.W. Russia to Volga and Ural Valleys. Largely resident.
Occasional in winter in Britain ; accidental Malta.
G. glandarius rufitergum Hartert. Above and below redder
than typical form, lacing only faintly grey on back and breast.
Resident. — England and Scotland.
G. glandarius hibernicus Withcrby and Hartert. Much
darker and redder than " rufitergum," especially on underparts ;
crown distinctly vinous, and black streaks more intense.
Resident. — I reland.
G. glandarius fasciatus lirehm. Bill stronger than in typical
form, upper mandible much curved ; stripes on crown broader
and no white on forepart ; breast tinged with grey.
Resident. — S . S pa i n .
G. glandarius ichnusae Kleinschmidt. Rather smaller than
typical form, most noticeable in bill ; white of forehead less con-
spicuous owing to broader stripes ; nape and hind neck dull
vinous ; back greyer, less vinous.
Resident. — S ard i n i a.
G. glandarius corsicanus Laubmann. Vinous tinge on back
intense, lacking grey tinge; larger than "ichnus.-u" and h\\\
stronger, but has the same broad stripes on crown^
Resident. — Corsica.
8 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
G. glandarius cretorum Meinertzhagcn. Very near "ichnusre"
but has slightly redder hind neck and greyer back. Similar in
size.
Resident — Crete ; Ilex forests at 4000 feet upwards.
G. glandarius minor Verreaux. Smaller. Wing $ 162-170,
average 165. Very little white on forecrown, duller vinous
on neck and face, greyer and less vinous both above and
below.
Resident. — South Atlas ranges of Algeria and Morocco.
G. glandarius krynicki Kalenicz. Slightly larger than
typical form ; crown entirely black, forehead white with black
tips and reddish tinge ; face and ear coverts pale vinous.
Greyish vinous back distinguishes it from "atricapillus " (Syria
and Palestine).
Resident. — Caucasus, Crimea, Thrace and Asia Minor.
G. glandarius whitakeri Hartert. Resembles "cervicalis,"
but nape, hind neck, and sides of neck vinous brown in sharp
contrast to a greyer back with hardly any vinous tinge. Inter-
mediate with "minor."
Resident. — N. Morocco, N.W. Algeria (Oran).
G. glandarius cervicalis Bonaparte. Nearest " atricapillus "
from Syria, but back grey, more so than in typical form ; nape,
hind neck, and sides of neck bright rusty red ; entire crown black,
feathers on forehead white at bases only ; face, ear coverts, and
throat pure white.
Resident. — N. Tunisia, N.E. Algeria south to Aures
Mountains.
G. glandarius brandti Eversmann. Crown foxy red with
black streaks, without any white ; hind neck and nape rich
rufous ; below more reddish brown than typical form ; similar
in size.
A N. Asiatic form, which occurs in winter in Orenburg district
of Russia along with typical form.
Perisoreus.
Near " Garrulus " but bill broader and straighter; tail
more graduated ; plumage soft and downy; frequent northern
PASSERES-CORVID.E 9
forests, especially pine ; food, insects, berries, small mammals,
reptiles, and yount; birds: nest, cup in conifer; eggs pale
greenish white marked with purplish grey and hair brown.
Perisoreus infaustus infaustus L.;. Siiikrian Jay.
t/\v. Unyluckshiiher ; .SViVv/. Lafskrika.
^ 9 Crown and nape sooty brown ; mantle, wings, and two
central tail feathers grey ; margin of quills, some wing coverts,
upper tail coverts, and tail foxy red ; beneath grey, rufous on
abdomen and under tail coverts. Bill, legs and feet black.
^^'i"g S 136-147, ? 135-140. Tarsus 33-36. Bill 15-18.
Resident — Europe, north of Baltic, to about 69" ; N. Russia,
Esthonia and Livonia. Rare visitor Germany and Denmark.
Pyrrhocorax.
Black, Crow-like birds, with thin red or yellow bills and
feet ; inhabit mountains or sea cliffs ; gregarious ; food, insects,
worms, seeds, berries ; nest in caves or clefts in cliffs, rocks,
ruins ; eggs creamy white, occasionally pale green, with faint
purplish grey and light and dark brown blotches.
Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax (L.). Chough. Fr. Crave ;
Gc)'. .Sleinkrahe.
^ $ Black, glossed with steel blue, wings and tail glossed
green. liill curved, red (in young orange brown). Legs and
feet red. Wing ^ 275-313, 9 265-288. Tarsus 50-54. 1^11142-51.
RcsidcJit. — Coasts of British Isles except E., \V. France,
Pyrenees, Mountains C. and S. Europe from Portugal and Spain
eastwards, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Balearic Isles (accidental),
Croatian littoral, Greece, Mountains N.W. Africa and Coasts of
Algeria, Caucasus ; also Asia east to Himalayas.
Pyrrhocorax graculus (L.). Alpine Chouch. Fr.
Chocard ; Go'. Alpendohlc ; Ifal. Gracchio.
^ 9 Glossy black ; bill yellow, shorter, stouter and straighter
than in "pyrrhocorax." Legs and feet red. Wing 253-280.
Tarsus 45-47. Bill 20-25.
Rcsidojt. — Mountains of C. and S. Europe ; Spain, Portugal,
Italy, Corsica, Greece, Caucasus; also W. Asia (Asia Minor to
Himalayas).
10 BIRDS OF FATROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
STURNID^.
Wing with lo primaries, ist very short. No rictal bristles ;
nostrils not covered by feathers.
Sturnus.
Wings long and pointed, ist primary small but visible;
bill wide, flat and straight; gregarious birds of metallic
plumage; food, worms, insects, larvae, etc.; nest in holes
in trees, walls, or cliffs ; eggs greenish blue.
Sturnus vulgaris vulgaris L. Starling. Ft.
Etourneau ; Get: Star ; Ital. Storno ; Swcd. Stare.
^ 9 summer. Black with metallic reflections of purple or
green or steel blue, generally with a few buff apical spots ; head
and neck dark green with or without purple reflections ; ear
coverts green ; under wing coverts brown with buff margins ;
flanks purple. In winter, plumage above spotted with buff and
below with white tips. Bill yellow in summer, dark brown in
winter. Legs and feet red brown. Wing $ 125-137, $ 123-131.
Tarsus 28-30. Bill 20-24. Young ; brown, throat and streaks on
underparts white, margins of quills and tail rufous.
Breeds. — ^Europe, including British Isles, from N. Norway and
about 64° in Russia to Pyrenees and Italy. Partial migrant ;
occurs in winter south to Spain, Portugal, Madeira, Canaries, and
all N. Africa from Morocco to Egypt.
S. vulgaris faroensis Fielden. Larger; ist primary longer
and broader, wing and tail somewhat longer, bill larger. Wing
133-134. Bill 24-25. Young are darker, less marked with
white below.
Rcsidejti. — Faroe Islands.
S. vulgaris zetlandicus Hartert. Nearer "faroensis" than
"vulgaris"; young distinctly darker than in "vulgaris"; bill
not so broad and long as in "faroensis" but broader than in
"vulgaris"; 1st primary not so broad as in "faroensis." Wing
I3i-I38(H.).
Resident. — Shetland Isles.
PASSERES— STURNID.'E 11
S. vulgaris grant! Hartcrt. ist primary 10-13 m.m. lonf,^
generally aljout 2 m.m. shorter than in "vulgaris." Dill averages
smaller.
Re si den t. — Azores.
S. vulgaris sophiee Dianchi. Head more purplish, especially
on crown and throat ; ear coverts greenish.
Breeds. — East Russia, Moscow to Urals. Occurs Caucasus on
passage, and in winter Cyprus and Egypt.
S. vulgaris balcanicus Ikiturlin and Harms. Crown and ear
coverts purple, latter occasionally green ; hind neck, upper back
and upper tail coverts green, lower back and rump green to
purplish blue ; edges to wing coverts, secondaries and scapulars
bluish purple or violet ; throat, breast and abdomen purple ;
under wing coverts as in "vulgaris." Resembles " poltaratskyi "
of \V. Asia, but under wing coverts and axillaries have narrower
buff margins.
Ihreds. — Bulgaria and Rumania to Dniester.
S. vulgaris graecus Tschusi. Head and neck purple with
slight green reflections ; ear coverts varying purple to green ;
back, rump and upper tail coverts green with purplish tinge on
upper back ; breast and abdomen green, flanks purple ; wing
coverts and secondaries purple with green reflections. Very close
to and doubtfully separable from " sophias."
Breeds. — Greece. Migrates ; has occurred at Malta.
S. vulgaris tauricus Buturlin. Scapulars, upper wing coverts,
rump and upper tail coverts reddish purple, back deep green
and sometimes tinged purple ; head and throat green, sometimes
with purple tinge ; underparts purple ; flanks purplish bronze.
Wing 14T-142. Like "purpurascens" of Asia Minor, but wing
longer.
Breeds.— .
Loriot ; Gcr. Pirol ; I/al. Rii^ogolo ; Swed, Sommargylling.
^ adult. Yellow ; lores, wings, and tail black. Dill dull red.
Iris red. Legs and feet bluish grey. Wing ^ $ 148-158.
Tarsus 20-23. l^i^l 21-24. ? duller ; above yellowish green ;
tail olive green, black at tips ; beneath whitish, washed yellow
and streaked dark brown. \'ery old ^ occasionally as bright as
(^ but always slightly streaked. Young are like $•
Breeds. — Norway (very rare), Sweden up to 63" N. ; Russia
to 60" N. ; generally distributed over rest of Europe except British
Isles, where occurs on passage and breeds regularly in small
numbers in S.E. and S.W. England ; N.W. Africa. Migratory ;
winters in S. Africa.
PRINGILLIDJE.
Bill cone-shaped; wing, 9 visible primaries (true ist being
very tiny and invisible); tail 12 feathers; one moult in
autumn, the differing spring plumage being due to wearing
off of feather edges ; contains Finches, Sparrows, Siskins, etc. ;
granivorous but also insectivorous, especially when feeding
young ; nest in trees, bushes, or in a bank ; mostly gregarious
in winter.
COCCOTHRAUSTES.
Beak powerful, thick, broad and high; inner primaries
much shorter than outer and markedly curved at ends like
a bill-hook.
Coccothraustes coccothraustes coccothraustes (L.).
Hawfinch. /->. Grosbec ; Gcr. Kirsch Kernbcisscr ; J/n/.
Frosone.
f^ adult, summer. Crown brown, forehead yellower ; hind
neck ashy grey ; back dark brown, rumj) lighter ; C|uills black
with long white i)atch on inner web ; larger coverts white, forming
a wing band ; middle tail feathers grey brown, with white tip,
others black with large portion of inner web white ; lores and
11 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
throat black ; underparts vinous brown, middle of abdomen and
under tail coverts white. Bill bluish. Legs and feet flesh colour.
Iris whitish. Wing (^ 100-106, 9 97-106. Tarsus 19-22. Bill
15-1S. In winter, colour duller and bill dull flesh colour. $
duller coloured ; crown, rump, and under parts more greyish
brown. Young ; head brownish yellow ; throat yellow ; back
lighter brown with faint spots ; below dull white with blackish
brown spots.
Breeds. — From S. Scandinavia and Petrograd in Russia, south
over Europe, more abundant in south ; England and S. Scotland.
Chiefly resident. Rare visitor Ireland ; occasional in Sicily,
Malta, and Egypt.
C. coccothraustes bavryi Cabanis. Paler, greyer, (best seen
in female) ; bill less massive ; white on wings and tail less
extensive.
Resident — N.W. Africa (Tunis to Morocco), S. Spain.
C. coccothraustes tatjanae Kudascheflf. o i^i summer light
rosy below ; forehead lighter and back darker than in typical
form.
Resident. — Crimea.
Chloris.
Plumage greenish ; tail long and forked ; bill short and
thick; nest open, in trees or bushes; eggs dull bluish or
greenish white with reddish shell markings and deep red
brown spots and streaks.
Chloris Gliloris chloris (L.). Greenfinxh. fr. Verdier ;
Gcr. Grunling ; /A?/. \'erdone ; Sivcd. Gronfink.
^ adult. Above yellowish green, washed with brownish
grey, brighter and yellower on forehead, face, and underparts,
especially middle of abdomen ; primaries outer web yellow,
secondaries and greater wing coverts margined and tipped slate
grey ; tail feathers, except central pair, yellow at base and
margined grey. Bill dark brown above, paler below. Legs and
feet pale pinkish straw. Wing o S5-89, $ 82-S8. Tarsus 17-20,
Bill IQ-12. $ browner, except on rump, and faintly streaked j
much less yellow on wings and tail. Young : above brown ^
beneath greenish yellow with dark brown streaks.
PASSKUKS— FRINC.ILMDE 15
Breeds. — Norway to about 65 N., S. Sweden, Livonia, Russia,
Tyrol, Germany, N. France, Holland, IJelgium, I^enmark, and
15ritish Isles. Partly migratory.
C. chloris madaraszi Tschusi. Above deeper, more intense
^reen than in "chloris," and browner, less ^''cy tinged; beneath
darker ; somewhat shorter winged.
Resident. — Corsica, Sardinia.
C. chloris muhlei Parrot. Size as typical form, but darker
grey above, not so dark as " madaraszi." Wing (^ 87, 9 83.
Breeds.— \r). Hungary, Italy, Palkan Peninsula (Rumania to
Greece) ; Asia Minor, Cyprus. Partly migratory.
C. chloris aurantiiventris Cabanis. Brighter, with scarcely
any brown grey tinge on upper parts, and more uniformly yellow
beneath. Wing 80-86.
Breeds. — S. France, Spain and Portugal, N.W. Africa (Tunis
to Morocco). Migratory ; more abundant N.W. Africa and
S. Spain in winter.
The Cretan Greenfinch's status is not yet determined ; it may
be near "chlorotica,'' a smaller and brighter form from Syria.
Carduelis.
Brightly coloured with yellow in wing ; bill sharp and
pointed ; nest in trees; eggs 4-5, greenish white with faint reddish
shell markings and dark reddish brown blotches and streaks.
Carduelis carduelis carduelis (L.). Goldfinch. />.
Chardonneret ; Ger. Sticglitz ; Ital. Cardcllino.
Adult. Above wood brown ; mask crimson ; ear coverts,
checks and nuchal spot white ; lores and neck band black ; wings
black and yellow with white tips ; beneath white, sides of breast
and flanks washed with brown ; tail white on inner web antl
white tipped. P.ill whitish with dark tip. Legs dull flesh. Wing
^ 76-80, 9 lyi'^- Tarsus 14-15. '•'•• 9-"- Young: no red
mask, chin and throat white ; above greyish brown, below
yellowish brown, both with dark streaks ; quills tipjjed buff".
Breeds. — Europe generally, from 67' N. in Norway and Sweden
and 60" N. in Russia south to N. Spain in W. and Central Russia
in K. Partly migratory.
16 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
C. carduelis britannicus (Hartert). Above darker, white nuchal
spot ahiiost obsolete, mask lighter crimson, while parts less pure,
more brownish, flanks browner.
Breeds. — British Isles. Is largely resident.
C. carduelis tschusii Arrigoni. Resembles "britannicus"
but smaller ; bill more slender, ear coverts browner ; mask deep
crimson as in typical form.
Resident. — Sardinia and Corsica.
C, carduelis parvus Tschusi. Smaller, darker ; bill smaller ;
wing shorter ; nuchal spot less distinct than in " carduelis." Wing
70-78.
Resident. — Madeira, W. Canary Islands, Azores.
C. carduelis weigoldi Reichenow. Like " parvus " but brown
duller. Wing 70-77.
Breeds. — Portugal, S. and N.W. Spain. Considerable migratory
movement occurs.
C. carduelis africanus (Hartert). Close to " parvus," but bill
larger, wing longer, brown colour paler, and nuchal patch more
distinct. Wing 78.
Breeds. — N.W. Africa, Morocco to Tunisia ; Central and
S.E. Spain, Balearic Islands.
C. carduelis balcanicus Sachtleben. Size as typical form ;
brown of flanks greyer, breast patches more distinct, band across
chest very distinct.
Breeds. — Dalmatia, Bosnia, Macedonia, Greece.
C. carduelis rumaeniae Tschusi. The darkest Goldfinch ;
white nape spot washed with brown ; above reddish brown ;
breast and flanks clear rusty brown ; ear coverts brown tinged.
B?-eeds. — Rumania, Bulgaria, and Bessarabia.
C. carduelis volgensis Buturlin. A large form, approaching
" C. c. major" of W. Asia in size but nearer to typical form in
colour of back, rump and upper tail coverts, whiter than in
"carduelis" but not as extensively so as in Asiatic race.
Breeds. — C. and S. Russia to Urals.
C. carduelis brevirostris Sarudny. Upper parts paler grey.
Wing 75-81.
Breeds. — Caucasus. Occurs in winter Asia Minor, Cyprus.
PASSKRRS— FUINCII.r.IDE 17
C. carduelis major 'I'aczanowski. Larger ; with much more
white on rump and upper tail coverts. Wing 83-89. Tarsus 15.
r.ill 13-14.
A \V. Siberian form, ranging in winter to E. Russia and
even to Poland and Prussia.
Carduelis caniceps orientalis (Eversmann). "Caniceps"
differs from "carduelis" in all races in having no black on the
head.
A S. Siberian race of "C. caniceps" which has occurred at
Orenburg, E. Russia.
Spinus.
Bill pointed as in "Carduelis"; colours green and yellow.
Spinus spinus (L.). Siskin. Fr. Tarin ; Gcr. Zeisig ; Ital.
Lucarino ; Siucd. Gronsiska.
(^ adult. Above green, faintly streaked ; rump yellow ; crown
black (tipped with grey in winter) ; beneath, chin black, eyebrow
and breast yellow, abdomen white, flanks yellowish streaked
brown, under wing coverts and axillaries yellow. Bill flesh
coloured with black tip. Legs and feet brown. Wing $ 70-73,
9 68-71. Tarsus 14-16. Bill 8-9. 9 has no black on crown ;
above greyish green with broader streaks ; nape yellow, rump
yellow streaked ; beneath, whitish tinged yellow on breast.
Breeds. — Scandinavia to 67^ N., Finland, N. and C. Russia,
liritish Isles, C. Europe south to Pyrenees and Italian Alps ;
Caucasus and in Asia. Migratory; occurs in winter irregularly
in Mediterranean countries and in Egypt and N.W. Africa ; also
in East south to China.
Spinus citrinella citrinella (L.). Citkil Finch. Fr.
Venturon alpine ; Gcr. Zitronenzeisig ; Ital. Venturone.
^ adult. Yellowish green, narrowly streaked, greyish on
mantle ; nape and sides of neck bluish grey ; wing coverts brown
with broad yellow green tips forming a bar. Bill horn brown,
lighter below. Legs and feet brown. Wing ^ 75-79, 9 lyi^
(W.). Tarsus 13-15. Bill 7-8. 9 inore brownish grey with less
yellow. Young browner, rump paler, wing bar yellow buff, beneath
buffy with white streaks.
B
18 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Bnwlf. — Mountains of France, Austria, Hungary, Germany
(Black Forest), N. Italy, Spain, Greece. In winter occurs
irregularly C. and S. Italy.
S. citrinella corsicana i^Koenig). Mantle brown, streaked, no
grey tinge, rump greener, and forehead more brilliant ; yellower
beneath.
RcsiiLnf. — Corsica ; of doubtful occurrence mainland Italy.
ACANTHIS.
Adult males with red crowns, rumps, or breasts, especially
conspicuous in summer, after autumn moult reddish-brown
margins almost obscure this colour; gregarious, except in
summer; food, seeds, but also insects, fruit, etc.; cup nest
in tree, bushes, or on ground (Twite) : eggs bluish white
marked with purplish grey and reddish or dark brown.
Acanthis cannabina cannabina (L.}. Linnet. Fr.
Linotte ; Gcr. Hantiing ; Ital. Fanello ; Szi'cd. Hampling.
$ adult, summer. Chestnut b^o^\T^, grey on hind crown
and neck, forecrown and breast blood-red ; quills white on outer
margins ; upper tail coverts mixed with white, tail feathers with
white margins, broader on inner webs ; beneath buffy white
streaked on chin, but no black chin spot, flanks reddish brown.
Bill lead colour. Legs and feet bro\\-n. Wing c^ 80-84, $ 77-81.
Tarsus 15-17. Bill 8-9. After autumn moult red much obscured
by pale brown margins. $ darker, browner, no red on head
or breast, flanks streaked. Young much as 9 but more distinctly
streaked.
Breeds. — Norway to 64' N., Sweden to 68', Russia east to
Urals ; British Isles ; south to N. Spain, Portugal, N. Italy,
Hungary, Rumania. Partly migratory ; occurs in N. Africa in
winter.
A. cannabina mediterranea Tschusi. Difficult to distinguish
from typical form ; rather smaller and more brightly coloured.
Wing 's 75-79, ? 74-79-
Breeds. — Mediterranean countries ; from Portugal and Spain
east to Turkey, Greek Islands, and Crete ; also N.W. Africa,
Morocco to Tunis. Partly migrator}-.
PASSERES— FRINGII.MD.E 19
A. cannabina harterti Bannerman. Smaller than "mediter-
ranea,'" and lighter below. Wing r^ 7A-7(>'
Resilient. — E. Canaries (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Graciosa,
and Allegranza\
A. cannabina nana Tschusi . Grey on head ver>' dark, back
chestnut, underparts brownish. Wing ^ 74-77.
Resilient. — Madeira.
A. cannabina meade-waldoi Hartert. Colour as in "nana''
but bill stronger. Wing $ 76-80.
Resident. — W. Canaries Tenerife, Gran Canaria}.
Acantliis flavirostris flavirostris 'L.^ Twite. Fr.
Linotte montagnarde ; Ger. Berghanding.
o adult. Above darker and less chestnut than " cannabina,"
feathers with ochreous tips ; tail longer ; throat and chest tawny ;
only rump rosy ; primaries with white, secondaries and tail with
pale brown margins. Bill yellow with dark tip. Feet and legs
dark brown. Wing ^ 73-80, $ 70-75. Tarsus 16-17. Bill 7-8.
$ has no red on rump. Young are like female.
Breeds. — C. and N. England, Ireland, Scotland, W. Coast
Norway to 7c' X., Sweden and N. Russia. Partly migrator)' ;
occurs in winter south to S. France and Switzerland. Rare in
Spain, Italy, S. Russia.
The British birds have been separated by Kleinschmidt as
"A. f. parallelicolor," on account of their darker colour, but funher
confirmation of its validity is required.
Acanthis linaria linaria (L.). Mealy Redpoll. Fr.
Sizerin boreal ; Gcr. Birkenzeisig ; Swed. Grdsiska.
^ adult. Above light brown, with dark streaks, whiter and
washed with rosy colour on rump ; crown blood-red ; two pale
wing bars ; lores and chin spot dark brown, throat and chest
rosy ; breast and abdomen dull white, flanks streaked. Bill
brown, yellow at base. Legs and feet dark brown. Wing 0
70-78, 9 70-75. Tarsus 14-15. Bill 6-7. In winter bill is
yellower, and general colour paler, more mealy. $ like 0* but
only head red. Young like 9 but have no red on head.
Breeds. — Scandinavia, Finland, N. Russia to about tree limit,
south to Baltic Provinces and E. Prussia ; also across Siberia and
20 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Arctic N. America. Migratory ; occurs in winter south in Russia
to Orenburg, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Britain.
Larger individuals with wings 75-81 and bill 8-9, have been
named "A. 1. holboellii" (Brehm).
A. linaria rostrata (Coues). GREATER REDPOLL. Larger,
darker, with a stouter bill ; more coarsely streaked on underparts.
Wing (^ 78-84, ? 73-81. Tarsus 14-16. Bill 9-10. The rose
colour does not appear to be ever so pronounced.
Reside7it in Greenland ; occurs in N. America in winter ;
fairly regular at Fair Isle, occasional in Orkneys, Outer Hebrides,
Ireland.
A. linaria cabaret (Muller). LESSER REDPOLL. Like "linaria"
but smaller ; darker and more rufous on upper parts. Wing $
^7-72>i ? 63-69 (W.). Bill 6-7, yellow, brown at tip. ? more
streaked ; no red on breast or rump.
Breeds. — Britain, Alpine regions of France, Switzerland,
Germany, Italy, Balkan Peninsula and Carpathians. Partly
migratory. Occurs in winter on plains of C. and S. Europe,
Sicily, Malta, and occasionally Morocco.
Acanthis hornemanni hornemanni (Holboll). Horne-
MANN's Redpoll.
^ $ Like " linaria " but larger and paler ; rump white, un-
streaked, and washed with delicate rose ; beneath white, with
faint rosy tinge on breast and few or no streaks. Bill very short
and conical. Wing S 84-90, ? 80-84 (H.). Tarsus 15-17. Bill
7-5-9. In winter is much whiter than in summer.
Breeds. — Greenland ; has occurred Spitzbergen and Jan
Mayen. In winter in N. America. Rare visitor to British
Isles.
A. hornemanni exilipes (Coues). CoUES' REDPOLL. ^ ?
Smaller than " hornemanni '^ and generally darker ; white rump
less pure ; red on breast more distinct ; flanks and under tail
coverts more streaked. Wing $ 7A-7^^ ? 69-76. Tarsus 13-15.
Bill 6-7.
Range. — Circumpolar. Breeds. — Lapland and N. Russia in
Europe. In winter rare in Britain, S. Sweden, E. Prussia,
Orenburg in Russia.
PASSERES— FRINGILLID.'E 21
Serinus.
Bill swollen, mandibles e([iially eurvcd to tip; resemble
Grosbeaks in shape.
Serinus canarius serinus (L.). Serin Finch. />-.
Serin ; Gcr. Girlitz ; Ital. Verzellino.
$ Above, crown, back, and wings yellowish green wiih dark
brown streaks, forehead and rump yellow ; beneath yellow,
streaked on flanks, abdomen white. Bill dark horn, paler below.
Legs and feet brown. Wing $ 70-76, ? 67-70. Tarsus 13-14.
Bill 5. $ less yellow and more streaked.
Breeds. — N.W. Africa, S. Europe north to C. France, Switzer-
land, and Poland. Migratory. Occurs in winter in Egypt. Rare
visitor to Britain.
S. canarius germanicus Laubmann. Yellow parts greenish
tinged.
Breeds. — S. and W. Germany, N. France, Holland and
Belgium ; also migrates.
S. canarius canarius (L.). CANARY. Like "serinus" but
slightly larger ; back chiefly grey with little green ; rump yellow
green ; forehead olive yellow with dark streaks. Bill, legs and
feet as in "Serin." Wing $ 1"^-!^^, 9 67-70 (H.). Tail longer
55-59 (in "serinus" 50-52).
Resident. — Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands (except
Fuerteventura and Lanzarote).
Erythrospiza.
Rosy Finches. Long winged; tail forked; bill conical,
red; frequent hilly and sterile places; nest in a hole in
ground or on trees ; eggs pale greenish, marked with reddish
or greenish brown.
Erythrospiza githaginea githaginea (Lichtenstein).
Trumi'Kter Bullfinch.
(^ adult, winter. Greyish brown, crown grey, rump, upper
tail coverts, and margins of wings and tail rosy ; beneath pale
grey, rosy tinged. Bill brownish yellow. Legs and feet brown.
22 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Wing 86-88. Tarsus i8. Bill 9-10 (H.). In summer rosy colour
becomes brighter. 9 niuch less rosy beneath. Young : above
rosy sandy brown, below brighter, middle of abdomen white.
Resident. — Tripoli to upper Egypt. Occurs at times in Malta ;
rarer in S. Europe.
E. githaginea zedlitzii Neumayer. Larger than typical form.
Wing $ 86-92. More sandy and rosy above ; but less rosy than
"amantum," and not mixed with brown.
Resident. — Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, south of Atlas.
E. githaginea amantum Hartert. Smaller than typical form :
bill larger ; darker above with deeper tinge of rose at all seasons,
much mixed with brown feathers. Wing ^ 83-87 (H.).
Resident. — Canary Islands (Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Graciosa,
Allegranza, Gran Canaria, Tenerife).
Rhodopechys.
Bill very strong ; tail comparatively short, slightly forked ;
inhabits stony, rocky hills; nest in bush or tree; eggs faint
greenish white, grey spotted.
Rhodopechys sanguinea aliena Whitaker.
^ Above sandy brown, spotted black on back ; centre of
cro%vn and nape black, hind neck ashy, rump brown, quills
slightly margined carmine ; beneath, throat whitish, tinged rosy,
flanks brown, abdomen white, slightly rosy tinged, pectoral band
grey. Wing 101.5 (Whitaker). Bill brownish yellow with black
tip. Legs and feet black. ? Forehead and crown brighter
brown, throat with no rosy tinge.
Residents. E. Morocco (Atlas Mountains).
The typical race " R. s. sanguinea " is W. Asiatic.
Pyrrhula.
Bill short, strong, convex ; frequent woods, orchards,
gardens; nest, cup in trees; eggs greenish blue spotted and
blotched with purplish grey and dark brown.
Pyrrhula pyrrhula pyrrhula (L.). Bullfinch. Fr.
Bouvreuil ; Ger. Gimpel ; Jtal. Cuiffolotto ; Swed. Domherre. .
PASSRRES— FRINGILLID.E 23
(^ Crown, nape, fore part of face, chin, secondaries, upper
tail coverts and tail bluish black ; back, scapulars, lesser and
median wing coverts and tips of greater coverts grey ; inner
secondary with outer margin red ; rump and under tail coverts
white ; sides of head and neck and underparts red. Bill black.
Legs and feet brown. Wing 90-98. Tarsus 18-19. Bill 8-10.
9 mantle ashy brown, outer web of inner secondary grey ;
beneath brown, slightly vinous. Wing 86-93.
Breeds. — Scandinavia to 69°, Finland, N. and C. Russia east to
Ufa, I5altic Provinces, E. Prussia, Galicia, Hungary, Rumania.
Partly migratory ; occurs in winter in Britain (rare), Europe
generally to S. France, Italy, Macedonia, Greece, Turkey and
S. Russia.
P. pyrrhula europaea Vicillot. Smaller than "pyrrhula."
^ darker grey above often washed with red ; beneath less bright.
^ distinctly duller and browner than typical 9- Wing $
81-8S.5 (H.).
Breeds. — Central Europe from Holland and Belgium to Poland,
south to Mountains of Balkan Peninsula, N. and C. Italy, N.
Portugal. In winter occurs Algeria and Tunisia, S. Italy (rare),
Sicily (occasional), Malta (accidental).
P. pyrrhula pileata Macgillivray. $ indistinguishable in
colour from ^ " europaea." $ back browner and underparts
darker than ^ "europnsa." Wing 78-84.
Resident. — British Isles.
P. pyrrhula rossikowi Derjugin and Bianchi. Like " pyrr-
hula" in size, but grey of back purer and ])lucr and red below
niuch deeper.
Resident. — Caucasus.
P. pyrrhula murina Godman. Sexes almost alike and
resembling $ "europaia"; beneath brownish grey, rump and
under tail coverts grey brown. Wing 88-90. Tarsus 20 (H.).
Resident. — St Michael (Azores).
Carpodacus.
Bill thick and short, longer than in "Pyrrhula"; sexes
different ; cup nest in hushes ; eggs blue with deep brown spots.
24 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Carpodacus rubicillus rubicillus Giildenstadt.
^ General colour crimson, brownish on back, more rosy
on tail coverts ; ear coverts silvery, quills and tail brown ; beneath
crimson with white centres. Bill yellowish. Legs and feet dark
brown. Wing ii8. Tarsus 22. Bill 13-5-1 5-5 (H.). ? light
brown throughout with faint dark central streaks. Wing 115.
Resident. — Caucasus Mountains.
Carpodacus erythrinus erythrinus (Pallas). Scarlet
Grosbeak. Fr. Roselin cramoisi ; Ger. Karmingimpel.
^ Crown, nape, lower back, rump, chin, throat, and chest
camiine ; back, scapulars, and lesser wing coverts brown tinged
carmine ; abdomen white washed carmine. Bill brownish horn.
Legs and feet brown. Wing $ 80-86, ? 79-83 (W.). Tarsus
18-19. Bill 8-10. ? greyish streaked olive brown, wing coverts
with brownish white tips ; beneath whitish faintly streaked brown.
Young are like 5 but slightly browner. The ^ does not
accpire the full carmine plumage after the first moult, but breeds
in a dress not unlike that of $ .
Breeds. — E. Prussia, Poland, Baltic Provinces, Finland,
Russia to 65° N., east to Lower Volga and Urals, and south to
48°, also in W. Siberia. Partly migratory ; occurs in winter W.
Europe to Spain, Britain (irregular visitor), Malta (rare).
PiNICOLA.
Larger than "Carpodacus"; upper mandible more curved;
frequent pine-woods chiefly ; cup nest in trees ; eggs sky
blue, with greyish and black spots.
Pinicola enucleator enucleator (L.). Pine Grosbeak.
Fr. Dur bee vulgaire ; Ger. Hakengimpel ; Sived. Tallbit.
^ Carmine, bases of feathers grey ; head, neck, and rump
more brilliant ; back grey with carmine margins ; wing coverts
tipped and secondaries margined white ; centre of abdomen,
under tail and wing coverts grey. Bill horn brown, lighter below.
Legs and feet dark brown. Wing $ 108-114, $ 104-109. Tarsus
21-22. Bill 13-14. ? orange or dull golden brown with grey
bases. The $ has much the same plumage as 9 until the
second year moult.
PASSERES— FRINGILUD/i: 25
Brert/s. — N. Scandinavia (in Sweden soutli to 63 ; and N.
Russia. Occurs in winter io S. and W. : Hungary, N. Italy and
S. I'Vancc (occasional), I5ritain (rare), Volga (irregular).
LOXIA.
Bill compressed sideways, and mandibles cross, lower
usually to left of upper; haunt pine forests, and nest high
in conifers; eggs pale bluisl; white, marked chiefly at larger
end with purple spots and daslics.
Loxia curvirostra curvirostra L. Crossbill. Fr.
Bec-croise ; Grr. Kreuzschnal)cl ; //a/. Crociere ; Siued.
Kryssnaljb.
^ adult. Brick red, brighter on rump. f^ull red plumage
not acquired until 3rd or 4th year, but birds breed in immature
plumage. Bill, legs and feet brown. Wing (^ 95-102, 9 91-98.
Tarsus 15-18. Bill 17-18. Height of upper mandible at base
7-2-8-2. Breadth of lower mandible at base io-8-ii-4. 9 Red
replaced by greenish yellow ; greyer in winter. Young : above
brov/n, streaked with whitish or greenish yellow, beneath paler,
abdomen whitish with yellow tinge.
Breeds. — Europe generally from Lapland and N. Russia south
to Pyrenees, Mountain ranges of S. and C. Europe to Carpathians
and Greece. Migrations irregular to S. and W.
L. curvirostra hispana Hartert. Bill long and slender,
^ 18-19, 9 16-18. Height of upper mandible 7. lireadth of
lower mandible 1 1.
Resident. — Spain.
L. curvirostra scotica Hartert. Bill thicker, upper mandible
very long and overhanging, recalling " pityopsittacus." Wing
$ 98-104, 9 94-99- Bill 16-17. Height upper mandible 8-2-8-6.
Breadth lower at base, 12-13-6.
Resident. — Scottish H igh lands.
L. curvirostra balearica (Homeyer). Short-winged. Bill
short and thick with overhanging upper mandible. Wing
94-9^^ (H.).
Reside;! t. — Majorca.
26 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
L, curvirostra poliogyna Whitaker. Paler, s^reyer (especially
on breast) than in typical form. Males in full crimson dress
rare.
Resident. — Tunis and Algeria.
L. curvirostra corsicana Tschusi. Shorter-winged, $ 97-100,
? 93-98. Bill higher at base.
Resident. — Corsica.
L. curvirostra caucasica Buturlin. ^ brighter red. Wing
92-100. Height upper mandible 7-2-8.
Resident. — Caucasus.
Loxia pityopsittacus Borkhausen. Parrot Crossbill.
Fr. Bec-croise perroquet ; Gcr. Grosser Kreuzschnabel ; Swed.
Storre Korsnabb.
Generally much larger than "curvirostra." Wing $ 104-
108 (H.), ^ 99-106 (W.). Bill very massive, depth at base
14-15-5, length 19-21, height upper mandible 9-10, breadth lower
mandible 13-16 (H.).
Breeds. — Scandinavia and N. Russia to 64' N., south to Baltic
Provinces and Poland. In winter, irregular in W. and Central
Europe to Austria, N. Italy and Britain (rare).
Loxia leucoptera bifasciata (Brehm). Two-barred
Crossbill. Fr. Bec-croise bifascie ; Ge7\ Weissbindiger Kreuz-
schnabel; Swed. Bande Korsnabb.
Resembles "curvirostra" but is smaller, and has two broad
white wing bands, scapulars brown. Wing $ 89-96, ? 85-91.
Bill 15-16.
Residefit in pine forests of extreme N. Europe, flocking
irregularly south through W. and Central Europe from Volga to
Rumania, Hungary, N. Italy, Switzerland and France, Britain
(rare).
In N. Russia and Siberia the red seems constantly brighter,
paler and more pink. " L. 1. elegans " Homeyer. A British
specimen in Tring Museum appears to be of this form.
Typical " L. 1. leucoptera" Gmelin is a N. American form,
of doubtful occurrence in Britain ; has smaller, finer bill, and
brown on upper parts much darker.
PASSERES— FRINGILUD.E 27
Pringilla.
Bill straight and pointed ; tail forked ; cup nest in trees
or bushes ; eggs bluish or brownish ground colour, dark
spotted.
Fringilla coelebs coelebs L. Chaffinch. Fr. Pinson ;
Gcr. Ijuchfink ; ItaL Fringuello ; Swcd. Bofink.
$ Crown and hind neck slaty blue, back chestnut brown,
rump and upper tail coverts yellowish green, median wing
coverts and tips of greater white or yellowish white, margins of
secondaries yellow ; beneath, face, throat, and underparts reddish
brown with vinous tinge, outer tail feathers mostly white. Bill
(winter) pale horn with dark tip, (summer) leaden blue, paler
below, with dark tip. Legs and feet pale brown. Wing $ 82-90,
9 76-84. Tarsus 17-19. Bill 9-10. 9 olive brown, rump and
upper tail coverts yellowish green ; beneath greyish brown.
Young like $ .
Breeds. — Europe from N. Cape south to Mediterranean, in
Russia south to about 52°. Partial migrant ; occurs in winter
Sicily, Malta, Corsica, Sardinia, and N. Africa (Morocco to Egypt).
F. coelebs tyrrhenica Schiebel. Upper parts darker, dark
brown on wings replaced by deep black.
Rcsi(ic7it. — Corsica.
P. coelebs spodiogenys Bonaparte. $ adult. Forehead
black, crown, face, hind neck and part of scapulars pale slaty
blue, back and rump green ; beneath pale vinous buff, margins of
wing coverts and quills pure white, flanks slate. Wing 93-96 (H.)
9 as typical 9) but paler.
Reside ?if. — T u n i s i a .
P. coelebs africana Levaillant. ^ Crown darker slate and
less white on inner secondaries than in "spodiogenys" ; green on
back darker. Wing 91-94 (H.).
Resident. — Algeria.
P. coelebs koenigl Rothschild and Hartcrt. $ much darker
above than "spodiogenys"; still less white on secondaries,] — A
of feather only. Wing 85-90-5.
Reside ?i t. — Morocco.
28 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
p. coelebs maderensis Sharpe. (^ Crown and nape dark
slate, upper parts green with slaty tinge on middle back ;
abdomen more vinous than in " tintillon."
Resident. — ]\Iadeira.
P. coelebs tintillon Webb, Berthelot, and Moquin-Tandon.
^ adult. Upper parts black, rump and upper tail coverts green ;
beneath, face, throat, and breast reddish buff, abdomen whiter
with slight vinous tinge.
Resident. — Canary Islands (Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Gomera).
P. coelebs moreleti Pucheran. Nearest to "maderensis,"
difficult to differentiate but rather less dark slate on back, and
very little white on outer tail feathers.
Resident. — Azores.
P. coelebs palmae Tristram. $ most resembles " tintillon "
but rump as well as back dark slate, throat only buff, remainder
of underparts white with vinous tinge.
Resident. — Palma (Canary Islands).
P. coelebs ombriosa Hartert. Differs from "palmas," rump
mixed green and slate, and buff on throat descending to chest.
Resident. — Hierro (Canary Islands)
Pringilla teydea teydea Webb, Berthelot, and
Moquin-Tandon.
$ Slaty blue, without perceptible black frontal band ; wings
black with slaty margins to coverts and quills ; abdomen whitish.
Wing $ 103-107. Tarsus 22. Bill 13-14. ? browner, smaller.
Young like $ .
Reside?tt. — Tenerife (Canary Islands).
P. teydea polatzeki Hartert. Has a black frontal band ; tips
of wing coverts pure white. Wing ^ 96-99.
Reside?it. — Gran Canaria (Canary Islands).
Pringilla montifringilla L. Brambling. Fi-. Pinson de
Ardennes ; Ger. Bergfink ; Swed. Bergfink.
$ summer. Crown, face, sides of and hind neck and back
black, rump and upper tail coverts white ; throat, breast, scapulars,
and tips of some coverts bright orange rufous ; beneath white.
Bill blue black. Legs and feet reddish brown. Wing, $ 89-95
PASSERES— FRINGILLID.E 29
9 82-S8. Tarsus 1 8-20T Billio-ii. In winter, black is margined
rufous, flanks heavily spotted black, and bill yellow with black tip.
$ Above duller, browner, with dark centres, no black on head
and back, sides of neck grey ; beneath paler.
Breeds. — Norway, Sweden, Finland, N. Russia, east to Urals
and south to Ufa Govt. ; also across Asia to Kamtschatka.
Migrates ; in winter to S. and C. Europe, Britain, Mediterranean
Isles, N.W. Africa (fairly common), Egypt (rare).
Has bred in Scotland and said to have bred in Germany.
MONTIPRINGILLA.
Like "Fringilla" but with a longer wing; mountain birds ;
nest in rocks or buildings ; eggs white.
Montifringilla nivalis nivalis (L.). Snow-Finch. Fr.
Pinson des neiges ; Gcr. Schneefink ; Ital. Fringuello alpino.
^ Crown and nape ashy, mantle brown, wing coverts and
secondaries white ; beneath buffy white, centre of throat black
(obscured by white tips in winter). Bill black (in winter yellow
with black tip). Legs and feet black. Wing $, 117-125,$ 114-
123. Tarsus 21-22. Bill 13-14. $ bill in summer yellow with
black tip.
Breeds. — Higher Mountains France, Spain, Switzerland, Italy,
Austria, Hungary, Balkan Peninsula, Greece ; descending to
lower elevations in winter.
M. nivalis alpicola (Pallas). Crown and nape browner ;
bill longer and more slender. Wmg 2-5 m.m. shorter. Bill in
winter brown, yellowish below at base.
Resident. — Caucasus 10,000—14,000 feet in summer, lower in
winter ; also in W. Asia to E. Turkestan.
Petronia.
Sparrow-like Finches. Bill stout and conical ; frequent
rocky districts; food, seeds, insects, fruit; nest in holes in
rocks, walls, trees; eggs resemble those of House-Sparrow.
Petronia petronia petronia (L.). Rock-Sparrow. Fr.
Moineau fou ; Gcr. Stcinspcrling ; Ital. Passera lagia.
^ Above brown, eyebrow and centre of head lighter, with
30 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
broad lateral stripes ; upper parts streaked, feathers buff on outer,
dark brown on inner webs ; beneath pale buff with slight yellow
tinge and faintly streaked ; a yellow throat spot ; tail with large
white apical spots (conspicuous in flight). Bill yellow with brown
tip. Legs and feet brownish yellow. Wing 93-100 (H.). Tarsus
18-20. Billio-ii. 9 somewhat resembles a $ House-Sparrow;
yellow throat spot fainter than in (^ . Young are paler and without
throat spot.
Resident. — Russia to 64° N., C. and S. France, Switzerland,
S. Germany, S. Europe, Hungary to Portugal, Accidental in
Holland, Belgium, Malta, Azores.
P. petronia hellmayri Arrigonl. Darker, less rusty upper
parts than typical form ; difficult to distinguish.
Restde?if. — Sardinia and Corsica.
P. petronia macrorhyncha Brehm. Lighter and somewhat
longer billed ; white spot on outer tail feathers larger.
Reside?it. — Balkan Peninsula, Serbia and Dalmatia to Greece
and Macedonia.
P. petronia barbara Erlanger. Head, lower back, rump, and
tail coverts greyer ; paler below, and yellow spot very pale ;
bill larger ; white spots on outer tail feathers much larger.
Resident. — N.W. Africa ; Tunis to Morocco.
P. petronia madeirensis Erlanger. Above darker than typical
form, especially middle of head and rump ; beneath more grey
brown, and lacking the faint yellow tinge ; smaller. Wing
90-97.5 (H.).
Reside?it. — Madeira and Canary Islands.
P. petronia exigua (Hellmayr). Like typical form, but more
dusky grey above ; bill weaker.
Reside?it. — Estuary of Don, Caucasus, Armenia.
Passer.
Bill short, thick, upper mandible curved ; nest in holes,
or untidy ball in trees ; eggs white with brown spots.
Passer domesticus domesticus (L.). House-Sparrow.
Fr. Moineau ; Ger. Haussperling ; Ital. Passera oltramontana ;
Swed. Hussparf.
PASSERES— FRINGILLID/E 31
(^ Crown, ear coverts, nape, rump, and upper tail coverts ashy
grey with broad chestnut stripe over eye meeting on hind neck ;
back and scapulars chestnut streaked l^lack, lesser wing coverts
tipped white ; cheeks and sides of neck white ; beneath greyish
white, chin, throat, and chest black, flanks not streaked. Bill
(winter) 'brov.-n, (summer) black. Legs and feet brown. Wing
^ 72-82, $ 71-77. Tarsus 18-20. Bill 10-12. $ brown, darker
on back and streaked black and yellowish brown ; no black on
throat and chest. Bill brown.
Resident. — All continental Europe and British Isles, from about
68° N. to Mediterranean (in Italy only to N.), N. Morocco,
Sardinia, Balearic Isles, Grecian Archipelago, and in W. Asia.
P. domesticus tingitanus Loche. Very like typical form, but
grey feathers of head black at base, in spring head appears grey
spotted black ; ear coverts less grey and washed buff.
Resident. — Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco.
P. domesticus alexandrinus Madarasz. Smaller than
"domesticus," sides of head white strongly tinged brownish
grey, crown and rump lighter.
Resident. — Egypt, Cairo to Alexandria.
P. domesticus niloticus Nicoll and Bonhote. ^ Crown, hind
neck, and rump slate grey ; back pale chestnut with buff margins ;
a post-aural patch chestnut not meeting on nape. Wing 73-76 (H.).
Resident. — Nile Valley, Fayoum to W^adi Haifa.
Passer italiae (Vieillot). Italian Sparrow.
(^ like "domesticus" but back almost entirely chestnut, eye
stripe short, white ; crown and nape chestnut ; cheeks and ear
coverts whiter; flanks not streaked. 9 ^s in 9 "domesticus."
Wing c^ 75-79.
Resident. — Italy south of Alps, Sicily, Malta, Corsica, Crete,
Bosnia, France (occasional), S. Switzerland, S. Tyrol.
Passer hispaniolensis hispaniolensis (Temminck).
Si'ANiSH Sparrow. Fr. Moineau cspagnol ; Gcr. Weiden-
spcrling ; Ital. Passera sarda.
(^ Crown, nape, and lesser wing coverts chestnut, last with
white tips ; back l)lack, some feathers tawny or white on outer web ;
beneath, throat, foreneck, and breast black, flanks broadly streaked
32 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
black. After moult chestnut is tipped brown and throat tipped
white. 5 resembles $ "domesticus" but flanks are streaked.
Wing ^ 74-80. Tarsus 19-20. Bill 10-12.
Resident.~Q^Yi2,xy Islands, N.W. Africa, Spain, Sicily, Italy
north to Genoa, Balkan Peninsula and Asia Minor. Occurs
in winter in S. France and Egypt.
P. hispaniolensis arrigonii Tschusi. Darker, black streaks on
back broad. Wing ^ 75-78(11.).
Reside7it. — Sardinia, Corsica.
P. hispaniolensis maltae Hartert. Like typical form, but
flank streaks narrower or even absent. Wing ^ 76-81.
Resident.— yi2\l?i and Sicily.
P. hispaniolensis brutius Fiore. Back as in typical form,
breast greyish white, flanks very faintly streaked or not at all.
Resident. — S. Italy (Calabria and Tarento).
P. hispaniolensis fluckerigeri Kleinschmidt. Back browner,
streaks on flanks wanting or very faint.
Resideiit. — S. Algeria.
Specimens are occasionally found in Spain with few or no
flank streaks. "P. h. maltae," "P. h. brutius," and also "P. h.
arrigoni" and "fluckerigeri" may prove to be hybrids. In Malta
examples with or without flank streaks occur.
Passer montanus montanus (L.). Tree-Sparrow. Fr.
Friquet ; Ger. Feldsperling ; Ital. Passera mattugia ; Swed. Piefink.
Sexes similarly coloured. Resembles " domesticus " but entire
crown, nape and hind neck pale chocolate brown, cheeks and sides
of neck white with a black patch on ear coverts, lesser and greater
wing coverts white tipped. Wing ^ 65-74, $ 64-68. Tarsus
16-18. Bill 8-10.
Breeds. — Britain, and Europe from 68-30" N. south to Spain
and Sicily, Macedonia, and S. Russia. Partial migrant ; occurs in
winter Dalmatia, Albania, Greece, Malta, Sardinia, and Corsica ;
N. Africa (doubtful).
P. montanus volgensis Ogncw. Upper parts greyer, not so
red brown as "montanus" ; crown darker, wings and tail greyer.
Wing about 3 mm. shorter.
Breeds. — Volga Delta.
PASSERES— FKINGILLID.E 33
Passer simplex saharae Erhmger. Desert-Sparrow.
(^ Above silvery grey ; lesser wing coverts white, greater and
primaries dark with sandy tips, upper tail coverts creamy white,
lores and throat black, sides of neck and underparts creamy
white. l)ill black (summer), yellowish brown (winter). Legs and
feet brown. Wing 77-81. Tarsus 19-20. Bill 10 (H.). $ more
sandy, less grey, lacks black lores and throat.
Resident. — Sandy deserts of N. Africa, Algeria to Nubia.
Typical race " P. s. simplex" occurs in S. Nubia east to Berber.
Emberiza.
Bill short, more or less stout and conical, with a knob on
palate ; food, seeds, fruits, insects ; cup nest on ground or
in bushes or hole in wall ; eggs reddish white, greyish white,
or buffy grey, marked with dark blotches and spots, and
usually with tortuous and angular lines or scribblings. The
brighter colours of the summer plumage almost obscured
after moult by buff or grey tips to the new feathers.
Emberiza calandra L. Corn Bunting. Fr. Bruant-
Proyer ; Ger. Grauammer ; Ital. Strillizo ; Siucd. Kornsparf
S 9 Above greyish brown, streaked ; beneath creamy
white spotted or streaked on throat, breast, and flanks ; no
while on tail. After moult darker and often yellowish on
underparts. Bill yellowish, brown along top of culmen. Legs and
feet yellowish brown. Wing ^ 89-103, ? 83-101. Tarsus 24-26.
Bill 10-12.
Breeds. — British Isles ; Europe from S. Sweden to Mediter-
ranean and Islands, N.W. Africa, Canary Islands, C. and S. Russia
to Caucasus ; also W\ Asia. Partially migratory ; occurs in
winter in Egypt.
Various subspecies described are not satisfactorily separable.
Emberiza citrinella citrinella L. Yellow Hammer.
Fr. Bruant jaunc ; Ger. Goldammer ; Ital. Zigolo giallo ; Si^'ed.
( lulsjxirf
$ Above olive brown with dark streaks, rump and upper
I. Ill coverts cinnamon, crown and face yellow with some green
tips ; throat yellow, traces of malar stripe (sometimes fully
C
34 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
developed) purple red ; underparts yellow, tipped olive green
on breast, and sometimes purple red band in front of green ;
flanks streaked purple brown. Bill blue-grey. Legs and feet
brown. Wing ^ 80-92, ? 80-89. Tarsus 18-19. Bill 9-10.
$ Above darker with dark streaks on crown, paler yellow below
with dark grey stripes on throat and upper breast and larger
streaks on flanks.
Breeds. — British Isles, N. and C. Europe (in Norway to 70° N.)
south to Pyrenees, N. Spain, Austria, Hungary, Macedonia, Bul-
garia, and Montenegro. Partly migratory ; occurs in winter in
Mediterranean, S. Spain (rare), Portugal, Italy, Sicily, Turkey,
N.W. Africa (occasional).
E. citrinella erythrogenys Brehm. Greyer and less olive on
upper parts ; wing coverts, secondaries and tail feathers with paler
margins.
Breeds. — E. Prussia, N. and C. Russia east to Urals and south
to Caspian and Caucasus ; and in Siberia. Occurs in winter S.
Russia to Italy.
Emberiza leucocephala Gmelin. Pine Bunting.
$ Above reddish brown streaked with black, rump and
upper tail coverts chestnut, crown grey brown, white in centre,
face and throat chestnut, ear coverts white ; beneath, foreneck
and abdomen white, chest and flanks pale chestnut with white
tips. Bill brown, paler below. Legs and feet brown. Wing $
90-95) ? 82-91. Tarsus i9-20'5. Bill from skull 10-5-12 (W.).
$ Above greyer, ear coverts brown, no white on crown, rump
chestnut, but none on face and little or none on throat. Much
as 9 "citrinella," but yellow replaced by white. Young much as
$ , rump chestnut, throat and breast pale buff, a faint reddish
tinge on breast and flanks with dark streaks.
A Siberian bird which has occasionally occurred in Europe,
from C. Russia to Fair Isle, Belgium, and France.
Emberiza melanocephala Scopoli. Black-headed
Bunting.
$ Crown and sides of head black (obscured by brown tips
after moult) ; back, scapulars, and sides of breast chestnut ; upper
tail coverts yellowish ; beneath bright yellow ; occasionally throat
PASSERES— FRINGILLID.E 35
more or less black, yellow sometimes extends round neck to form
a collar. Bill dark brown, paler below. Legs and feet brown.
Wing (^ 9--99> $ 84-92. Tarsus 21-23. I^>11 i^-i3- ? Above
light brown with dark streaks, rump slightly yellow ; beneath
brownish buff, tinged with (sometimes quite) yellow. Young like
$ . Under tail coverts are yellow at all ages.
Bn't\/s.—S.E. Europe ; Greece to Uobrudscha and Balkan
Peninsula west to Italy, especially Adriatic coast and Liguria.
Also S.W. Asia. To \V. and N. of breeding range only an
occasional visitor. Migrates to S.E. and winters in India.
Emberiza luteola Sparrman.
o Head and throat orange cinnamon, back yellowish green,
upper tail coverts and underparts yellow. Bill bluish-grey, at
tip brown above, whitish below. Legs and feet brownish flesh.
Wing 87-90. Tarsus 21. Bill 12-13 (H.). ? Above grey brown,
striped black, rump and upper tail coverts tinged yellowish ;
beneath pale brown, lower abdomen and under tail coverts tinged
yellow.
A S.W. Asiatic species ; has occurred in Italy and Heligoland.
"Often seen in Constantinople Market" (Braun).
Emberiza aureola Pallas. Yellow-breasted Bunting.
cJ adult, summer. Above dark chestnut, median wing
coverts white, forecrown, face and throat black ; beneath yellow
with dark chestnut gorget and flank streaks. In winter, black
on head and throat is lost, and chestnut feathers are margined
grey. Bill dark brown above, pale brown below. Legs and feet
light brown. Wing S 75-8o, 9 70-74. Tarsus 20-22. Bill 9-1 1.
9 Upper parts grey brown, with black streaks, crown with
light mesial stripe, sides dark brown tinged chestnut, rump
chestnut, median wing coverts dark brown, tipped dull white ;
beneath yellow (with grey brown tips after moult), with dark
streaks on flanks and ill-defined gorget. Young like 9 but
no chestnut tinge on head or rump ; breast streaked like
flanks.
An Asiatic species whose summer range extends into N.C.
and E. Russia from Northern Dvina south to 50" ; in autumn
occasional in W. and S. Europe, but chief migration movement
is to the eastward.
36 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Emberiza cirlus L. Cirl Bunting. Fr. Bruant zizi;
Ger. Zaunammer ; Itai. Zigolo nero.
^ summer. Crown (streaked black), neck, lesser wing
coverts, rump, upper tail coverts and chest band olive green ;
back, scapulars (streaked), and sides of breast chestnut ; lores,
post-ocular stripe, and upper throat black ; eyebrow, lower face,
throat band, and abdomen yellow. Winter, black of throat
hidden by grey tips to feathers, and upper parts generally duller.
Bill dark above, bluish below. Legs and feet brownish. Wing
^ 74-83, ? 72-80. Tarsus 18-21. Bill 8-1 1. $ Above more
grey brown streaked, lesser wing coverts olive green, throat yellow,
chest band duller green, breast yellow tinged cinnamon, abdomen
yellow.
Breeds. — S. England, Belgium, France, S.W. Germany, Italy,
Croatia, Balkans, S. Russia to Caucasus, Greece, Mediterranean
Islands, Spain and Portugal, N.W. Africa (Tunis to Morocco) ;
also Asia Minor. Accidental in Malta. Rare Egypt. Largely a
resident bird.
Subspecies described are not considered separable.
Emberiza hortulana L. Ortolan. Fr. Bruant-ortolan ;
Ger. Gartenammer ; Ital. Ortolano.
(^ adult. Above olive brown, striated ; crown, face, sides of
and hind neck, and chest greenish grey, throat and eye-rim yellow,,
abdomen cinnamon. Bill reddish flesh. Legs and feet brownish
flesh. Wing $ 82-90, $ 79-87. Tarsus 19-22. Bill 9-1 1. $
duller, head less green and striated, throat yellow, sides of
throat and chest striped. Young: brown striated; traces of
yellow on throat and cinnamon on abdomen ; almost in-
distinguishable from young "caesia," but throat whiter and less
streaked.
Breeds. — Europe north to Arctic Circle and south to Mediter-
ranean ; Morocco ; in Russia east to Urals, and south to
Caucasus ; also through N. Asia. Migrates ; occurs on passage
Britain, Malta, Sardinia, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt ; has been
found in winter in Abyssinia.
Emberiza buchanani Blyth.
$ Above grey, browner and striated on mantle ; scapulars-
cinnamon on outer webs ; throat grey, breast and abdomen
PASSEKKS-FRINOirLinK 37
cinnamon, no grey on chest. Measurements as in "liortulana,"
but wing usually about 2 m.m. shorter. ? throat l)r()\vn.
An Asiatic species which has occurred in S.E. Russia ; Crimea,
Orenburg, Caucasus.
Emberiza caesia Cretzschmar.
(^ Hack and scapulars reddish brown with dark streaks ;
crown, face, hind neck, and chest blue grey ; lores, eye-rim, and
throat cinnamon-buff; abdomen reddish cinnamon. Bill brown
above, paler below. Legs and feet yellowish brown. Wing 83-86.
Tarsus 20. Bill 19-20 (H.). $ duller, crown browner, throat and
chest dull buff streaked with dark brown. Young : reddish brown
streaked, with traces of cinnamon on underparts.
Breeds.— S.K. Europe ; Crete, Greece to Dalmatia, and through
Asia Minor to Caucasus. Occurrence in Europe west of Dalmatia
exceptional. Migrates to N.E. Africa and S. Arabia.
Emberiza cia cia L. Meadow or Rock Bunting. Fr.
Pjruant-fou ; Ger. Zipammer ; I^al. Zigolo muciatto.
(^ Above reddish brown with dark streaks, lesser wing
coverts grey, middle with white tips, rump and upper tail coverts
chestnut ; crown (with dark shaft streaks), face, ear coverts, sides
of neck, throat, and chest blue -grey ; lores, lateral crown stripe,
post-ocular stripe surrounding ear, and a malar stripe black ;
breast and abdomen pale cinnamon. Bill dull plumbeous. Legs
and feet yellowish brown. Wing ^ 76-85, $ 74-84. Tarsus
19-21. Bill 8-10. $ paler, duller, browner on crown, throat
and chest with dusky tips. Young much as 9 5 lesser wing
coverts browner with grey tips.
Breeds. — S. Europe, north to Switzerland, S.W. Germany,
i.ower Austria and Transylvania ; also Asia Minor. Northern
birds migrate. Rare visitor Britain, Holland, Belgium.
E. cia africana Le Roi. Paler on throat and abdomen, and
grey on throat barely reaches to chest.
Resident. — N.W. Africa, Morocco to Tunis.
E. cia par Ilartert. Above paler, less red; tips of middle
wing coverts reddish buff. Wing somewhat longer, 84-91.
An Asiatic race whose range reaches the Caucasus.
38 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Emberiza cioides castaneiceps Moore.
(^ adult. Crown, face, and ear coverts chestnut, throat and
eyebrow white, lores and malar stripe black ; upper parts chest-
nut streaked black, rump and upper tail coverts chestnut; beneath
pale buff, reddish band on breast. Wing (^ 78-82, 9 73-7^ (H.)-
Young as in " cia," but wing coverts tipped buff not grey.
An Eastern form of " E. c. cioides," the W. Siberian race.
Has occurred once in England.
Emberiza rustica Pallas. Rustic Bunting. Ger.
Waldammer ; Swed. Videsparf
$ Crown, face, and ear coverts black (in winter greyish
tipped), post-ocular and occipital patch white ; upper parts chest-
nut with grey margins and some black streaks on back ; beneath
white, chest band and streaks on flanks chestnut. Bill brown,
yellowish below at base. Legs and feet flesh colour. Wing
$ 75-835 ? 72-78. Tarsus 18-19. Bill 8-9. $ duller, browner
with grey brown margins ; nape, rump, and upper tail coverts
chestnut ; chest band incomplete.
Breeds. — N. Finland and N. Russia and across N. Asia. On
migration occasional Sweden ; casual visitor elsewhere in Europe,
west to Britain, south to France, Italy and C. Russia.
Emberiza pusilla Pallas. Little Bunting. Fr. Bruant
nain ; Gcr. Zwergammer ; Ital. Zigolo minore ; Swed. Dvagsparf.
^ $ Above brown with dark streaks, lesser wing coverts
brown ; crown (banded on each side broadly with black), face
and chin chestnut ; beneath white, streaked dark brown. Bill
dark brown above, light below. Legs and feet brown. Wing $
68-74, ? 66-70. Tarsus 17-18. Bill 7-8.
Breeds.—^. Russia to 68° east of 30^ E. and through Siberia.
Occasional in autumn and winter from Scandinavia and Britain to
Spain, Algeria, Malta, Turkey.
Emberiza striolata saharae Levaillant. House
Bunting.
^ Above reddish brown with darker centres on back ; crown
and throat greyish, streaked ; lores and post-ocular stripe blackish ;
eyebrow white and narrow ; breast and underparts cinnamon
brown. Bill dark brown above, paler below. Legs and feet
PASSERES— FRIXCULLin.K 39
brownish llcsh. Wini^- 75-80. Tarsus 1S-19. liill lo-ii (W.)
9 duller t;encrally, head j^rcy hrown streaked, throat dull
red brown.
AV-f/V/t'///.— N.W. Africa ; Tunis and AlL;cria, south of Atlas,
Morocco, south and central parts.
The typical form " E. s. striolata" is W. Asiatic and is li<,^hter
in colour.
Emberiza schoeniclus schoeniclus(L.). Reed Bunting.
Fr. liruant dc Roseaux ; Gcr. Rohranimer ; 7/aL Migliarino
de palude ; Swed. Siifsparf.
^ summer. Above black with rufous margins, outer margins
of wing coverts and secondaries chestnut ; rump and upper tail
coverts grey with few streaks ; head and throat black, malar
stripe joining nuchal collar white ; beneath white, flanks slightly
streaked brownish black. Rill dark brown. Legs and feet dull
brown. Wing 74-83. Tarsus 19-20. Bill 7-8 long, 5-5-5 high,
4-5-5 broad. In winter, black of head and throat and white collar
partially obscured by red or grey-brown tips, back and wings
more chestnut. 9 lacks black on head and throat and the
white collar ; crow^n chestnut, dark streaked ; upper tail coverts
rufous, streaked ; ear coverts and malar stripe dark brown,
former mixed with chestnut ; eyebrow, face stripe, and throat
creamy white and often some rufous feathers on chest. Wing
70-77. Bases of head feathers are black in all stages.
Breeds. — Britain ; Continental Europe north to Finmark, and
68° in N. Russia south to N. Spain, Italy and N.W. of Hungary ;
also in Siberia. Migratory ; occurs in winter over S. and S.E.
Europe to Black Sea and N. Africa, Morocco to Egypt (in small
numbers).
E. schoeniclus canneti (Brehm). Bill thicker and larger ; upper
and lower mandibles about equal in height, upper more curved
than in "sch(x:niclus." Bill about 9 m.m. long ; height 5-5-6-5.
I]?'ecds.—^.Y.. Europe ; Hungary and Dalmatia through Balkan
Peninsula to Greece ; also Spain and Portugal. Occurs Egypt
in winter.
Emberiza tschusii tschusii Reiser and Almasy.
Like "schfcnirlus" but paler; margins of wings and back
pale cinnamon ; rump and upper tail coverts paler gr^y. Bill;
40 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
thick, high, and comparatively short, 9-10 long, 6-5-8 high.
Wing longer on average 77-80 (H.).
Breeds. — Delta of Danube to S. Russia and S.W. of Caspian
Sea, Has occurred in Greece in winter. Accidental in Britain.
B. tschusii compilator Matthews and Iredale (E. palustris
auct). In plumage like "schoeniclus." Margins of wings and
back chestnut. Wing $ 78-85 (W.).
Breeds. — Italy, Sicily, S. France, E. Spain. Accidental in
Britain.
B. tschusii othmari Hartert. Darker above than "tschusii,"
less brown above than " compilator." Bill slightly larger than in
'* tschusii."
Breeds. — S. Bulgaria and Greece.
B. tschusii volgae Stresemann. Longer winged, $ 81-87
(H.) and thicker billed.
Breeds. — Sarepta and Volga districts (Russia) ; occurs in
winter Lenkoran district of Caucasus.
Emberiza pyrrhuloides pyrrhuloides Pallas.
Bill larger than in " schoeniclus " or " tschusii," thick and high ;
upper mandible higher than lower, point rounded. Above feather
edges rusty yellowish grey, rump yellowish grey, unstriped ;
below white, rarely with indications of stripes. Larger. Wing
^ 90-92. Tarsus 21-22. Bill, height 9-10-5 (H.).
Resident. — Caucasus, Caspian shores, and E. into Asia. Once
occurred Heligoland.
E. pyrrhuloides reiseri Hartert. Bill as typical form ; above
much darker, edges of feathers rusty brown ; rump darker grey,
flanks narrowly striped. Wing 2 m.m. shorter.
Resident. — Thessaly.
Calcarius.
Hind claw nearly straight (as in Larks) ; wings more
pointed than in "Emberiza." Cup nest, well hidden, on
ground ; eggs olive brown to greenish, with red brown spots
and blotches, and thin dark hair lines and scratches.
Calcarius lapponicus lapponicus (L.). Lapland
Punting. Gcr. Lerchen-Spornammer ; Swed. Lappsparf.
PASSERES— FRINGILLID.T: 41
(^ adult, summer. Above black with tawny streaks, crown,
face, throat, chest, and sides of breast black ; eyebrow to nape
yellowish buff; hind collar chestnut ; white patches on nape and
sides of neck ; beneath white streaked black on flanks. Bill
yellow, tip black. Legs and feet black. Wing (^ ,90-101,
9 82-93. Tarsus 20-22. Bill 8-10. In winter, much paler,
chestnut and black obscured by tawny tips. $ Crown dark
brown with tawny streaks, hind collar rufous, throat and fore-
neck black with white tips. Young distinguished from those of
"P. nivalis" by absence of white on wing and bases of throat
feathers always black.
Breeds. — Scandinavia south to about 65", N. Finland, Russia
north of 60°, Waigatz, Nova Zembla, and in Arctic Asia and
America. Migrates ; in winter south to Central Europe, Britain,
Iceland, C, and S. Russia, rare in Austria, N. Italy, and
Switzerland.
Plectrophenax.
Bill as in other Buntings, but without palate knob; hind
claw curved; wings much longer; nest, cup in rocks or
under stones or logs; eggs yellowish to greenish white with
purple shell markings and red brown blotches and spots,
rarely streaked.
Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis (L.). Snow Bunting.
F7\ Ortolan de neige ; Ger. Schneeammer ; Sioed. Snosparf.
(^ adult, summer. Head, neck, wing coverts, secondaries,
base of primaries and underparts white ; mantle and primaries
black. Bill black. Legs and feet black. Wing 102-117.
Tarsus 21-23. ^^i^^ 8-10. In winter, light reddish brown above,
some almost chestnut with some of same colour on head, throat
and chest ; beneath white ; bill yellowish with black tip. 9
summer. Crown and upper parts dull black with traces of whitish
edges. Winter, duller than (^, feathers above with black centres,
wings and tail browner and with less white. Wing 96-109.
Young : crown, back of neck and sides of head, and rump grey ;
back grey buff, streaked black ; beneath, throat grey, breast and
flanks grey buff, abdomen pale buff. Fully adult plumage not
assumed till after second year.
42 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Range in summer, circumpolar. Breeds in Europe, in Scandi-
navia south to 60°, N. Finland, Russia north of 65°, Iceland,
Scottish Mountains (small numbers). Migrates ; occurs in winter
N. and C. Europe generally ; few to Mediterranean shores,
occasional N. Africa, Canaries, Madeira, Azores.
ALAUDID^— Larks.
Sides of tarsus covered with scutes ; chiefly ground birds,
rarely perching; good runners; most are good songsters,
singing when soaring ; nest on ground ; eggs greyish to
yellowish white, thickly spotted olive brown or ashy brown.
Rhamphocorys.
Bill Finch-like, nbove much curved, cutting edge lower
mandible toothed in middle ; hind claw slightly curved.
Rhamphocorys clot-bey (Bonaparte). Thick-eilled
Lark.
(^ Above sandy grey, a white spot under eye, ear coverts
and sides of neck black, with white spot in centre ; secondaries
tipped white (conspicuous in flight), tail feathers, except central
pair, which are like back, white with black tips ; beneath white
with black spots (thickest in middle). Bill large and massive,
sandy brown. Legs and feet sandy brown. Wing 123-127.
Tarsus 24. Bill 18 long, 13-15 high at base (H.). 9 somewhat
smaller than ^ and less grey above.
Residejit. — N. border of Sahara, Tunis and Algeria to Libyan
Desert.
Melanocorypha.
Bill strong, high, compressed sideways: hind claw as
long as hind toe, and straight,
Melanocorypha calandra calandra (L.). Calandra
Lark. Fr. Calandre ; Ga'. Kalanderlerche ; Ital. Calandra.
^ $ Above grey brown with dark centres, secondaries tipped
white ; beneath white ; large black patch on either side of neck,
breast buff with dark streaks, flanks buff, under wing coverts and
axillaries brownish grey, outer tail feathers pure white, remaindei;
PASSERES — AT.ArniDT: 43
white tipped. IVill d.irk aliovc, yellowish below. Lej,^s and feet
li-ht brown. Win-- ,•■ 120-135, 9 1 10-132 (W.). Tarsus 24-30.
iJill 12-15.
lirceds. — S. Europe from Spain, S. France, Corsica, Sardinia,
C. and S. Italy to Balkans, Rumania, S. Russia and Caucasus ;
also N, and C. Tunisia, N. Ali^eria, Morocco, and Asia Minor to
Palestine. Largely resident. Rare elsewhere in Europe and in
Egypt.
Melanocorypha bimaculata (Menetries).
Like ''calandra," but no white tips to secondaries, outer
rectrices dark brown, black patches on neck more confluent.
West Asiatic species ; occurs in Caucasus, and in winter in
N.E. Africa.
Melanocorypha sibirica (Cimelin). White-winged
Lark.
f^ No black neck patches. AIjovc grey brown, with dark
central streaks ; crown, ear coverts, and wing coverts reddish
chestnut ; inner primaries and apical half of secondaries white
(conspicuous in flight) ; white stripe behind eye ; undcrparts
white faintly spotted, flanks streaked brown. Pill brown, pale
below at base. Legs and feet yellowish brown. Wing (^ 1 15-125,
9 106-112 (W.). Tarsus 22-24. Pi^ 12-14. 9 Crown brown
with dark streaks like back.
A W. Asiatic species, ranging into Russia, north to Orenburg,
Samara, Saratov and west to Voronetz. In winter, occurs in
Rumania and Turkey. Rare in C. and W. Europe.
Melanocorypha yeltoniensis (Forster). P>lack: Lark.
(^ Black, with whitish sandy margins above at all seasons,
broader in winter, and then also on underparts and flanks. P>ill
brownish grey, yellow at base. Legs and feet grey-black. Wing
127-139 (W.). Tarsus 25. Pill 13-14. 9 like " calandra,'"' but
lacks the neck patches ; axillaries and under wing coverts sooty
brown. Wing 1 14-122 (W.). Young the same but with black
blotches on underparts.
Jirecds. — S. Russia, Kirghiz Steppes up to Volga, and in
W. Siberia. Occurs in winter in Caucasus. Rare W. and C.
Europe.
44 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Calandrblla.
Bill short, conical ; inner secondaries much lengthened ;
claws short ; sexes alike.
Calandrella brachydactyla brachydactyla (Leisler).
Short-toed Lark. Fr. Calandrelle ; Ital. Calandrino.
c^ ? adult. Above sandy brown, with dark centres, crown
very often rufous ; beneath bufify white, a few dark spots on
foreneck and a patch on each side of neck dark brown ; inner
secondaries very long, almost as long as primaries. Bill dark
horn above, pale below. Legs and feet pale brownish. Wing,
4th primary shorter than 3rd, $ 88-95, ? 85-94. Tarsus
20-21. Bill 10-12. Young are spotted white above. Colour
varies greatly according to colour of soil, being most rufous in
Europe (Italy to Portugal) and a lighter red in N.W. Africa.
In E. Europe the colour is greyer.
Breeds. — S. Europe, from Portugal and Spain through C. and S.
France east to Rumania, Balkan Peninsula, Greece, Mediterranean
Islands, S. Russia to Lower Volga, Urals, and Caucasus ; also
N.W. Africa and Asia Minor to Persia. Rare in Europe to north
of above range. Migratory ; occurs Egypt on passage and Sudan
in winter.
C. brachydactyla hermonensis Tristram. A lighter and
more rufous form with less conspicuous black markings, crown
always reddish.
Resident. — Mid Morocco, S. Algeria (Hautes Plateaux to
Oued Mya), S. Tunis, Egypt, Palestine.
O. brachydactyla longipennis (Eversmann). A greyer form
without any rufous shade ; eye-stripe whiter. Wing 3-5 m.m.
shorter.
A West Asian race, which migrates S.W., occurring in Egypt,
Greece, Algeria, and W. Sahara in winter ; once in Britain.
Calandrella minor minor (Cabanis).
^ Lighter and more sandy than " brachydactyla," and
without neck patches ; sides of throat, upper breast and sides
of breast narrowly streaked; secondaries 15 m.m. shorter than
primaries, flanks reddish buff slightly streaked. Bill dull horn,
PASSERES— ALAUniD.E 45
paler at base below. Legs and feet pale brown. Winy 90-94.
Tarsus 20-22. Bill 9-9-5 (H.). ^ slightly smaller.
Resident. — N. Africa, Morocco to Cyrenaica, north of the desert.
In winter, occasional in Italy and Malta.
C. minor rufescens (Vieillot). Above red brown with dark
centres ; beneath creamy white generally stained by red soil ;
spots on breast thicker and darker than in typical " minor,"
but less than in "apetzii" of Spain. Wing ^ 88-91-5 (H.).
Resident. — Tenerife.
C. minor polatzeki Hartert. Smaller than "rufescens," paler
and more sandy colour. Wing $ 87-88, 9 82. Tarsus 19.
Bill 8.
Resident. — Canary Islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, and
Gran Canaria).
C. minor apetzii (I>rehm). Darker and browner than typical
form or '' heinei '' ; throat and flanks as well as breast very boldly
streaked.
Resident. — S. Spain (Andalusia to Valencia).
C. minor heinei (Homeyer). Resembles typical form, but
greyer above, and flanks more streaked ; also larger. Wing
$ 95-100. Tarsus 21-22-5 (H.).
Breeds.—S. Russian Steppes north almost to Orenburg,
and in Transcaspia. Accidental Italy and Malta. Egypt in
winter.
C. minor nicolli Hartert. Darker and browner than typical
form ; bill dark horn grey.
Breeds.— Y.gy^i (Nile Delta).
Ammomanes.
Desert Larks : plumaL,^e soft, almost without spots.
Ammomanes deserti deserti (Lichtenstein).
(^ 9 Above variable ; sandy brown to brownish grey, redder
on rump ; upper tail coverts and margins of tail feathers, basal
parts of outer webs and inner weljs of quills cinnamon buff;
beneath pale isabelline ; throat white with faint dark marks ;
■under wing coverts and auxiliaries cinnamon buff; secondaries
46 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
nearly all the same length ; 2nd primary much shorter than 3rd.
Bill horn brown above, whitish below. Legs and feet light brown.
Wing c^ 99-io3-5» ? 91-99- Tarsus 22-23. Bill 13-15-5 (H.).
Young more yellowish above than adult and paler below, without
any spots. All plumages are greyer when fresh and more rufous
when worn.
Resident. — Egypt and Nile Valley, from Luxor southward ;
occasional Cairo.
A. deserti algeriensis Sharpe. Above more reddish isabelline
than typical form.
Resident. — Algeria and Tunisia south of Atlas, east through
Tripoli and Libya to Lower Nile Valley north of Luxor.
A. deserti isabellina Temminck. Not so red as " algeriensis,"
rather redder than most " deserti."
Resident. — Lower Egypt east of Nile and upper Egypt south
ofWadi Haifa.
A. deserti whitakeri Hartert. Above grey brown ; beneath
sandy buff with obscure dark streaks, throat white with dark
spots, under wing coverts and axillaries darker than in " deserti."
Wing $ 104-106, ? 97-100. Bill 18-20-5 (H.).
Resident. — Djebel-Soda, Tripoli.
Ammomanes phcBnicura arenicolor (Sundevall).
Like a small "A. d. algeriensis," but redder; primaries pale
cinnamon on both webs and black tipped, 2nd almost as long
as 3rd ; secondaries pale cinnamon, inner much longer than
outer; tail feathers tipped black. Wing 92-97. Tarsus 21-23.
Bill II-II-5 (H.).
Resident. — Algerian Sahara (stony plains) east to Egypt (Nile
Valley) and Palestine.
The typical form "A. p. phoenlcura" is an Indian bird.
Species is distinguishable from "A. deserti" by its long inner
secondaries.
Galerida.
Crested Larks : feathers of crown long and pointed.
Galerida cristata cristata (L.). Crested Lark. Fr.
Cochevis ; Ger. Haubenlerche ; Ital. Capillaccia.
PASSERES— ALAUDII).^: 47
(^ 9 adult. Above greyish brown, centre of feathers
dark ; beneath biiffy white or reddish buff with dark streaks or
spots on foreneck and breast ; under wing coverts and inner
webs of primaries reddish, outer tail feathers brown with slight
rufous tinge. Bill horn colour above, lighter below. Legs and
feet straw, ist primary 2-4 m.m. shorter than primary coverts.
Wing (^ 105-110, $ 97-109 (H.). Tarsus 25-28. Bill 14-17.
V'oung are spotted above with small white and brownish
spots.
Resident. — Europe from S. Sweden to S. France, Italy,
Balkans, and S. Russia. Absent from Sardinia and Corsica.
Very rare visitor to Britain.
G. cristata tenuirostris Brehm. Rather greyer than typical
form. Bill very slender.
Resident. — S. Russia to Rumania.
G. cristata caucasica Taczanowski. Upper parts with very
grey tinge as if powdered, especially in fresh plumage. Wing
^ 106-110, $ 99-104 (H.).
Resident. — Caucasus and W. Shore of Caspian Sea.
G. cristata meridionalis Brehm. Darker than typical form
with a rufous tinge, outer webs of outer tail feathers very rufous.
Resident. — Balkan Peninsula, Dalmatia, Greece, Crete.
G. cristata cypriaca Bianchi. Greyer at all seasons and less
brown than typical form, spots on breast darker, bill rather longer
and weaker.
Resident. — Greek Islands (Milos, Lemnos, Imbros), Cyprus.
G. cristata neumanni Hilgcrt. A very dark form, darker even
than "meridionalis" and with rufous tail feathers.
Resident. — Roman Campagna.
G. cristata pallida Brehm. Above lighter in colour, feather
margins paler. Wing 2-4 m.m. shorter.
Resident. — Spain and Portugal.
G. cristata kleinschmidti Erlanger. Darker above than
typical form ; beneath whiter, breast more distinctly streaked ;
size as "pallida."
Resident. — North Morocco (Tangier).
48 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
G. cristata riggenbachi Hartert. Larger than " klein-
schinidti." Wing (^ 107-113, $ 98-102 (H.). Beneath more
isabelline or buff.
Resident. — Central and S.W. Morocco.
G. cristata macrorhyncha Tristram. Like " riggenbachi "
but larger, paler, more sandy. Wing ^ 1 10-116, $ 102-105 (H.).
Resident. — C. and N. Algeria south to Laghouat, Tunisia north
of Atlas.
G. cristata randonii Loche. Darker than " macrorhyncha."
Wing 1 1 5-1 17 (H.).
Resident. — Hautes Plateaux, Algeria.
G. cristata carthaginis Kleinschmidt and Hilgert. Browner
than "randonii" and darker than "macrorhyncha." Smaller.
Wing $ 109-113 (H.).
Resident. — N. Tunisia.
G. cristata nigricans Brehm. The darkest form of " G.
cristata." Upper tail coverts inclined to rufous and streaked ;
underparts boldly streaked, as far as abdomen in some. Wing
102-106.
Resident. — Central portions of Nile Delta (dark soil), Damietta
to Cairo.
G. cristata brachyura Tristram. Greyer and more sandy
than "maculata," whiter beneath and bill longer. In winter and
spring much bleached, especially on lower back and rump, and
almost unrecognisable as the same bird.
Resident. — Egypt (Natron Valley, Lakes of north Delta, also
near IsmaiJia) and S. Palestine.
G. cristata maculata Brehm. Breast spotting never so dense
as in " nigricans," upper parts paler, less black in centre of
feathers. Crest less black. Wing ^ 98-108, $ 92-101. Bill
^ 19-21, 9 18-20.
Residetit. — Outer fringe of Egyptian Delta — down Nile to
Wadi Haifa.
G. cristata moeritica NicoU and Bonhote. Lesser upper
wing coverts silvery brown; otherwise like "maculata."
Resident. — Fayoum, Upper Egypt.
I'ASSERKS— ALAU1)ID/K 49
Galerida theklae theklae Biehm.
(^ $ Resemble " cristata," but differ in ist primary beiny as
long as or longer than primary coverts, secondaries being
much shorter in proportion to primaries, the bill shorter and
proportionately thicker, breast less reddish and with narrower
and more numerous streaks, and the under wing coverts and
axillaries being less red, with a distinct grey tinge. Wing (^
97-104, 9 95-98. Tarsus 24-25. Bill 11-13.
Resident. — Spain south of Murcia, S. Portugal, Balearic
Islands.
G. theklae erlangeri Hartert. A dark form with streaks on
breast darker and more copious, and descending lower on
breast.
Res idol t. — N . Morocco.
G. theklae ruficolor Whitaker. Resembles typical " theklae"
and " erlangeri '' but browner, often very red, especially on under-
parts ; rump and upper tail coverts dull cinnamon.
/\V^/V^i.'rt'y.— Tundras of N. Europe and Asia, south to about 62°
on Scandinavian Mountains above tree limit ; Arctic Islands,
Nova Zembla, Kolguev, Waigatz. Migrates; occurs in winter
Middle Europe, Britain (in small numbers), rare Italy and
Mediterranean ; also occurs in S. Siberia to Amur and N.
China.
O. alpestris atlas W'hitaker. Generally like "flava" but
reddish sandy above not rosy; wing coverts browner; occiput
and hind neck more rosy, hornlets longer, nearly as long as in
"penicillata" ; black of cheeks and chest separated by white.
//nv^/j. —Atlas Mountains of Morocco.
54 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
O. alpestris bilopha (Temminck). Above sandy grey with
no dark centres ; no yellow tinge on forehead, throat, and sides
of head, which are pure white ; beneath white, flanks like the
back ; black of cheeks and chest separated by white. Wing
96-100 (H.). Young : reddish isabelline above, undcrparts white,
rather resembling "Ammomanes deserti," but distinguished by
white tips to tail feathers which are cinnamon in "Ammomanes."
Breeds. — Stony deserts of N. Africa, south of Atlas to Wadi
Natron and Lower Egypt. Of accidental occurrence in S. Spain.
O. alpestris brandti Dresser. Forehead, throat and sides
of neck white, rarely tinged yellow ; hind neck and occiput
greyish rose ; back striped brown ; black of cheeks and chest
separated by white.
An Asiatic race which occurs in winter in E. Russia (Orenburg
to Volga).
O. alpestris penicillata (Gould). Larger and greyer than
"flava," less distinctly streaked, and rosy only on occiput and
hind neck ; hornlets long and incurved ; forehead, throat, and
sides of neck light sulphur yellow ; black of cheeks and chest
united. Winged 1 17-122 (H.).
Breeds. — Caucasus and Asia Minor.
O. alpestris balcanica Reichenow. Very near "penicillata,"
greyer in winter, and at same season yellow of head, neck, and
throat deeper ; in summer difficult to distinguish. Young : brown
above with white tips ; beneath white, with dark spots on breast.
Breeds. — Mountains of Balkan Peninsula.
The typical form " O. a. alpestris" is American and like
"flava" but has a larger bill and browner wing coverts.
MOTAOILLID^.
Sides of tarsus covered by unbroken sheath ; 9 visible
primaries ; inner secondaries lengthened, sometimes as long as
primaries ; bill thin.
Anthus— Pipits.
Brown, more or less spotted; superficially resemble
Larks ; nest on ground ; eggs like those of Larks.
PASSRUKS— MOTACILI.IDK 55
Anthus richardi richardi Vicillot. Richard's Pitit.
* I Above (lark l)r()\vn with rufous marj^^ins, wing coverts
and secondaries broadly margined rufous (white in young),
eyebrow pale buff; a black line under the eye and on sides of
throat ; beneath dull white, breast reddish buff, dark streaked ;
flanks brownish, slightly streaked. Bill dark brown, paler below.
Legs and feet yellowish brown. Wing (^ 92-100, 9 87-93.
Tarsus 29-33. ^'^'^^ 12-15. Hind claw 16-22-5, slightly curved
and longer than hind toe.
An Asiatic breeding bird, frequently occurs Europe in autumn
and winter; recorded Norway, Britain, Baltic south to Mediter-
ranean, also Egypt.
Anthus campestris campestris (L.). Tawny Pipit.
Fr. Pipi rousseline ; Gcr. Brachpieper ; //al. Calandro ; Sived.
F;iltpipl;irka.
^ 9 Above grey brown, faintly streaked and with narrow
rufous margins, margins broader on secondaries and wing
coverts; eyebrow yellow buff; dark moustachial stripe some-
times present ; beneath dull white, occasionally yellowish and
generally with some dark spots on breast, flanks not streaked.
Bill dark brown, paler below and towards base. Legs and feet
yellow brown. Wing $ 87-98, 9 85-89. Tarsus 25-29. Bill
13-15. Young are more spotted on breast and feather margins are
whiter.
Breeds. — S. Sweden, Denmark, Finland, C. and S. Russia
south to lower Volga and Caucasus and through Europe south to
Greece, Crete and Mediterranean countries ; also N. Africa and
W. Asia from Asia Minor to Afghanistan. Rare visitor N. France
and Britain. Migrates ; occurs in winter in tropical Africa, S.
Arabia and N.W. India.
A. campestris griseus Nicoll. Like typical form but greyer
above ; bill about 3 m.m. shorter ; underparts whiter and more
streaked with brown on upper breast.
An Indian breeding race. Occurs Egypt in winter.
Anthus bertheloti bertheloti Bolle. Canarian Pipit.
c? 9 Above grey brown, faintly streaked, rumj) not streaked ;
eyebrow white ; beneath white (sometimes pinkish tinged) with
56 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
a band of dark spots on breast. Bill blackish horn, paler below
at base. Legs and feet yellowish brown. Wing ^ 75-8o,
9 2-3 m.m. shorter. Tarsus 22. Bill 11-12. Young: wing
coverts and secondaries have rufous margins.
Rcsidc7it, — Canary Islands.
A. "bertheloti madeirensis Hartert. Bill 1-2 m.m. longer.
Resident. — Madeira and Porto Santo.
Anthus pratensis (L.). Meadow Pipit. Fr. Pipi des
pres ; Ge?'. Weisenpieper ; Ital. Pispola ; Swed. Angpiplarka.
$ $ Above greenish olive brown streaked with dark centres
except on upper tail coverts ; beneath white, buff tinged on
breast, sides of throat as well as breast and flanks with dark
spots or streaks, under wing coverts and axillaries whitish tinged
yellow ; ist to 4th primaries nearly equal, 2nd, 3rd and 4th
emarginate ; hind claw slender, very slightly curved and longer
than hind toe. Bill dark brown, flesh coloured below at base.
Legs and feet pale brown. Wing ^ 75-86, $ 72-82. Tarsus
20-22. Bill 10-12. In winter more olive above and more buff
beneath.
Breeds. — Europe from extreme north, Kolguev, Iceland, Faroes
and Britain south to Pyrenees, Italy, Transylvania, Rumania to
Transcaspia and in W. Siberia. Migrates ; on passage in Urals
and Caucasus. Some winter S. Sweden, Denmark, Holland,
British Isles, S. France and Hungary. Winters commonly
Mediterranean basin and N. Africa. Rare in Canaries.
Anthus cervinus (Pallas). Red-throated Pipit.
(^ summer. Darker than " pratensis " and lacks greenish olive
colour ; rump and upper tail coverts streaked ; beneath, face,
throat, and breast, pale chestnut or vinous buff; abdomen buffy
white. In winter reddish colour beneath is generally lost, but
is reacquired very early in spring and in some cases persists
through winter but on throat only. Bill and legs as in
" pratensis." Wing formula as in " pratensis " ; ^ 82-88, $ 80-84.
Tarsus 20-22. Bill 10-12. $ summer: sometimes like $ but
seldom with so much colour on breast and throat more buff. In
winter throat whitish buff. Young like winter 9 but rather more
streaked breast and flanks.
PASSERES— MOTACII.TJD.E 57
n?-€i'(is. — Norway to Finmark, Lapland, N. Russia, and Arctic
Islands, and in Siberia. Mi.ijrates on S.E. route through Sweden
and Russia to Caucasus and E. Mediterranean. Rare on passage
Britain and W. Europe, not common Algeria and Malta. Winters
Egypt and N.E. Africa, and S. Asia to India and .Malaya.
An thus trivial! strivialis (L.). Tree-Pipit, ^r. Pipi des
arbres ; Gcr. Baumpieper ; Ital. Prispolone ; Swed. Triidpiplarka.
$ 9 Resembles " A. pratensis " but larger, rump unstreaked,
pale part of tail feathers pure white ; hind claw shorter than hind
toe and curved ; ist to 3rd primaries equal, 4th 4-6 m.m. shorter,
2nd to 4th emarginate. In winter more olive above and more
buff beneath. Bill dark brown, pale below. Legs and feet pale
flesh. Wing $ 84-90, 9 81-87. Tarsus 20-22. Bill 10-12.
Hind claw 8.
Breeds. — Europe from Tromso and N. Russia east into Asia,
south to Cantabrian Mountains, N. Italy, Greece, Caucasus.
Migratory ; winters in some Mediterranean countries, Egypt,
N. Africa, and in tropical Africa. Accidental in Canaries and
Madeira.
Anthus gustavi Swinhoe. Petchora Pipit.
^ ^ Above reddish olive brown, streaked dark brown, upper
back with buff streaks (white in winter) and margins of wing
coverts white; rump streaked; beneath as in "trivialis" but
pale part of tail feathers bufty not pure white ; 2nd and 3rd
primaries emarginate. In winter more buff on underparts. Hind
claw slender, slightly curved and longer than hind toe. Bill
dark brown above, below lighter with dark tip. Legs and
feet brownish flesh. Wing $ 82-85, ? 79-82 (H.). Tarsus 23.
Bill 10-12. Hind claw 11.
Breeds. — N.E. Russia (Petchora) and Siberia east to Com-
mander Islands, south to Altai. Occurs in winter on China
Coasts. Migrates S.E.
Anthus spinoletta spinoletta (L.). Water Pipit.
Fr. Pipi spionccUc ; Ger. Wasscrpieper ; Ital. Spioncello.
(^ ? summer. Above greyish olive brown, with faint dark
streaks, eyebrow whitish buff; beneath dull buff with vinous
tinge, unstriped ; tail, outer feathers white along outer web and
58 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
wedge of white on inner web, next white tipped. In winter,
above more olive ; beneath white broadly streaked on breast
and flanks. Bill, summer, all brownish black ; winter, dark
brown, flesh coloured at base. Legs and feet dark brown. Wing
c? 87-93, 9 82-89 (W.). Tarsus 22-24. Bill 12-13.
Breeds. — Mountains France, Spain, Germany, Switzerland,
Austria, Hungary, Italy, Corsica, Sardinia, Balkans, Carpathians,
Rumania ; also Asia Minor. Winters in plains, especially in
Mediterranean to Algeria and Tunisia. Casual in Britain.
A. spinoletta coutelli Savigny, Winter : paler and browner,
more olive than typical form, striations more distinct, and rump
more golden ; beneath clear reddish buff streaked on breast.
Summer : breast vinous, very slightly streaked.
A Persian breeding race, which occurs in winter in Egypt.
A. spinoletta blakistoni Swinhoe. Paler than typical form
and also than " coutelli " ; beneath as in typical form. Generally
smaller. Wing $ 89-90, 9 81-83 (H.).
Breeds. — Central Asia. Occurs Caucasus in winter and also
recorded Egypt, Port Said (Lynes).
A. spinoletta rubescens Tunstall. American Water Pipit.
Recognisable in winter plumage by small size (wing $ 82-89,
9 78-82 (W.)), and darker buff underparts with smaller spots more
confined to breast. Legs and feet very dark brown. Second
outer tail feather has more white on inner web.
An American race, of rare occurrence W. Europe.
A. spinoletta caucasicus Laubmann. Wing ^ 86-88 (H.).
Lighter above than "spinoletta" but not so light as "blakistoni."
Breast more grey yellowish than in " spinoletta," darker than
" blakistoni."
Breeds. — Caucasus.
Anthus petrosus petrosus Montagu. Rock Pipit.
$ $ summer. Above brown with slight green tinge and faint
dark central streaks ; beneath dull yellowish white with dark
streaks ; outer tail feathers smoky brown outer web. In winter
much more olive green above and yellowish buff beneath. Bill
in winter dark brown, flesh coloured below at base, in summer
brown black. Wing $ 87-96, ? 84-90. Tarsus 23-25. Bill 13-15.
PASSERES — MOTACILLID/K 59
j^nv^.f. -British Isles, Channel Islands and N. French Coasts ;
also Coasts Norway and Islands as far as Varanger Fiord
(Collett). Partially nii<,n-atory, found in winter Atlantic Coasts
south to France and Spain.
A. petrosus kleinschinidti Hartert. In winter like typical
form but darker above and much yellower beneath ; summer
plumage like winter, but bill entirely black.
Breeds. — Faroes.
A. petrosus littoralis Brehm. Scandinavian Rock Pipit.
Indistinguishable from typical form in winter. In summer breast
tinged reddish buff.
Breeds. — Coasts of Norway to White Sea. Found in winter
south along N. European Coasts to N. France and British Isles.
MOTACILLA.
Tail long ; wings long and pointed, inner secondaries
about as long as primaries ; frequenting open country,
generally near water; food, insects, Crustacea, and mollusca;
nest on ground, holes in rocks, walls, etc.; eggs generally
greyish or huffy white, freckled or clouded with greyish or
yellowish brown.
Motacilla flava flava L. Blue-headed Wagtail. Fr.
Bergeronnette printaniere ; Ger. Gelbe Bachstelze ; Ital. Cutret-
tola gialla ; Swed. Guljirla.
^ summer. Above yellowish green, forehead, crown and
nape bluish grey ; lores and ear coverts slightly darker with some
white markings ; lines from bill above eye and below ear coverts
white, chin often also partially white ; wing coverts with dull
yellow tips ; beneath including throat yellow, occasionally orange,
flanks and spots on sides of neck yellowish green. Bill, legs and
feet black. Winter : browner, feathers of crown with green tips ;
breast buff with some dark feathers ; stripes from bill tinged
creamy. $ summer. Duller than (^, some green on crown,
occasionally a buff tinge on breast and a cluster of green spots
on sides of neck. Winter : as ^ but eye-stripe yellower, throat
and breast paler and more buff, rest of underparts paler yellow.
Wing $ 80-85, 9 76-82. Tail 70-79. Tarsus 22-25. Bill 11- 12.
GO BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Young resemble winter .'idults but browner alDove, chin and throat
white, eye-stripe buff and underparts darker bufif.
Breeds. — N. and C. Europe, north to about 6i°, south to Spain,
Portugal, N. Italy, S. Russia, east to Urals (interbreeds with
"beema" in Ufa Govt.), Caspian, Caucasus. Migratory ; passes
through S. Europe and N. Africa ; some winter Morocco and
Egypt but majority in C. and S. Africa. Accidental Faroes and
Iceland. Regular but rare on passage Britain and has bred.
M. flava dombrowskii (Tschusi). V^ery close to typical
form ; crown, lores, and ear coverts darker, white eyebrow
occasionally absent.
Breeds. — Rumania, Dobrudscha, Macedonia to Dalmatia.
Occurs on passage Egypt, Palestine, Algeria. Winters in Africa.
M. flava beema Sykes. Summer : forehead and crown paler
than typical form, lower parts of ear coverts whiter. Tail usually
shorter, ^ ^l-li- Winter: crown greener and greyer, ear coverts
greyer.
Breeds. — E. Russia, Orenburg, Ufa, and Samara Govts., and
W. Asia. Casual in rest of Europe ; recorded Britain, Germany,
Rumania and Italy ; also Tunisia. Winters E. Africa and India.
M. flava leucocephala (Przewalski). $ Top of head, ear
coverts, lores, cheeks and chin white ; hind neck smoky grey ;
otherwise resembles " beema."
A N. Asiatic breeding race. Has occurred E. Russia (Perm
and Orenburg), and in Egypt and E. Africa on migration.
M. flava thunbergi Billberg. Grey-headed Wagtail. $
summer. Crown and ear coverts darker, latter almost black
with no white admixture ; eyebrow almost or quite absent ; chin
only white ; green of upper parts darker. $ winter and 9
distinguishable from typical form by dark ear coverts and no
supercilium.
Breeds. — N. Europe from about 63'' N. to tree limits, and in
N. Siberia. Migratory ; very rare on passage Britain, Faroes,
W. and C. Europe ; irregular Italy and Sicily ; Greece and N.W.
Africa not common ; Egypt common especially spring ; Caucasus,
E. Russia (Orenburg and Ural Valley), very common. In winter
E. Africa common, also occurs then in S. Asia (India to Philippines).
PASSRRES— MOTAriTJ.ID.T: 61
M. flava cinereocapilla Savi. (^ Paler green than "thun-
bergi"; entire chin and throat white; differs from "flava" in
ear coverts being generally darker with no white admixture and
generally no eyebrow but a post-ocular white speck ; occasionally
bright saffron beneath. 9 ^^ i" " flava " but ear coverts darker
and more white on throat.
Breeds. — Italy, Sicily, Bosnia. Occurs on passage, Greece,
Malta, Egypt (especially spring). Winters N. and tropical
Africa.
M. flava iberiae Hartert. Eyebrow distinct in front of and
behind eye ; otherwise like " cinereocapilla."
Breeds. — Spain, Portugal, Balearic Islands, S. France,
Algeria.
M. flava rayi (Bonaparte). Yellow Wagtail. (^ summer.
Above (including crown and ear coverts) yellowish green ;
eyebrow, cheeks, throat, and entire underparts yellow ; flanks
greenish. Winter : upper parts browner, eye-stripe, chin, throat,
and upper breast yellowish buff. $ summer : browner above
than (^, yellow on head duller and underparts paler. Winter:
less green, more brown above than (^, chin and throat almost
white, breast more buff coloured and abdomen paler yellow.
Young: ist plumage; above red brown; beneath reddish buff
with black marks on sides of crown and breast ; ist winter : above
brown with green tinge ; beneath, throat white, eyebrow, sides
of neck, and chest buff; breast and abdomen pale yellow.
Breeds. — Britain, W. Holland, N.W. France, Heligoland
(occasional), Portugal? Occurs on passage France, Spain,
Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia. Winters S.W. Morocco and W.
Africa.
M. flava campestris Pallas. ^ summer. Crown and under-
parts brighter yellow than in " rayi," ear coverts almost pure
yellow.
Breeds. — E. Russia (Samara, Ufa, Perm, Orenburg and Volga
Govts.), Kirghiz Steppes, Caucasus. Winters in E. Africa,
common in Kenya Colony.
M. flava pygmaea Brehni. A small race of "cinereocapilla."
Wing 74.
Egypt resident ; but some migrate.
62 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Motacilla feldeggi feldeggi Michahelles. Black-
headed Wagtail.
^ summer. Above yellowish green ; crown, face, ear
coverts, nape and occasionally to upper back black ; no eyebrow ;
entire underparts, chin to under tail coverts, yellow. Winter :
crown and ear coverts fringed greenish brown, $ Crown black
with some brown feathers. Wing ^ 79-88. Tail 70-80. Tarsus
23-26 (W,). Bill 12-13. Some specimens have a yellow eyebrow
(" M. xanthophrys " Sharpe), others, a white one (" M. paradoxus "
(Brehm)). These both occur on spring passage in Egypt.
Breeds. — Balkan Peninsula, S. Russia to Astrakhan and
Caucasus, and Persia and Asia Minor. Migrates ; occurs on
passage in Egypt ; occasional Italy, Algeria, Tunisia ; rare
otherwise in Europe. Winters in N.E. Africa south to Kenya
Colony and Uganda, and in Arabia.
M. feldeggi melanogrisea (Homeyer). ^ Crown duller
black, more ashy than in "feldeggi," chin and generally a line
under ear coverts white ; generally smaller. Wing 80-85. First
winter : lacks olive green on upper parts and yellow on under-
parts in both sexes ; general colour grey and white, eyebrow
whitish, rump slate grey, underparts grey black (Ticehurst).
A W. Asiatic breeding race ; rare on passage in Egypt, has
occurred once E. Russia,
Motacilla citreola citreola Pallas.
<^ summer. Head, neck, and underparts yellow ; on hind
neck a black patch ; back and scapulars ashy grey ; wing coverts
and secondaries brown with broad white margins. Bill, legs and
feet black. Winter : browner, crown greyish green, forehead
yellow, no black patch on hind neck. Wing ^ 81-88, $ 78-83.
Tarsus 24-26. Bill 11-13. ? in summer like $ in winter; in
winter forehead greyish green. Young : dull grey, whitish beneath,
chest slightly spotted ; wing coverts with broad white tips.
Breeds. — N.E. Russia (White Sea to Ufa and Samara Govts.)
and N. Asia. Winters S. Asia. Rare Egypt, Italy, Austria,
Heligoland,
Motacilla cinerea cinerea Tunstall, Grey Wagtail.
/^?■. Bergeronnette jaune ; Ger. Gebirgs-Bachstelze ; Ital. Ballerina
gialla ; Swed. Graiirla.
PASSERES— MOTACILLID.E 63
,£ summer. Crown and upper parts ashy with olive tinge,
ohve yellow on rump and upper tail coverts ; eyebrow and malar
stripe white ; beneath yellow ; chin and throat black with or
without white tips ; outer tail feathers white, next two pairs
inner web and tip white, outer web black. Bill blackish, paler
below at base. Legs and feet fleshy brown. Winter : eye-stripe
buft* chin and throat pale buff, breast tinged ochreous. Wing
(^ 80-88, $ 78-85. Tail S 98-104, 9 94-104. Tarsus 20-21.
Bill 11-13. 9 like ^ but in summer chin and throat never so
black and breast tinged ochreous ; in winter breast more buff
and below breast paler yellow.
Breeds. — From S. Sweden, C. and S. Russia, south of Gulf of
Finland and British Isles through C. and S. Europe ; also Atlas
Mountains, N.W. Africa ; W. Canary Islands, and Asia Minor.
Accidental in Denmark and Faroes. Migratory in N. Europe,
occurs in Egypt on passage and in winter, and in winter in
E. and W. Africa.
M. cinerea melanope Pallas. Tail on average shorter, 88-99 ;
in winter plumage, yellow often very intense and darker than
in typical form.
An Asiatic race, whose breeding range extends west to
Caucasus and Mountains of Perm and Ufa.
The length of tail on which " melanope " is chiefly founded
is not very constant, but a character (shared also by a specimen
from Canary Islands), which is more reliable is that in "melanope "
the shaft of the outer tail feather is brown in the middle (6
specimens examined), while in typical "cinerea" it is entirely
white (17 specimens examined) ; 2 birds (one an autumn migrant
from St Kilda and one a spring migrant from Fair Isle) were
the only European specimens with brown on the shaft of that
feather.
M. cinerea schmitzi Tschusi. Above darker and greyer ;
lores black ; ear coverts very dark ; eyebrow and malar stripe
indefinite or absent.
Reside7it. — Madeira and Azores.
Motacilla alba alba L. Wmme Wac.taii,. Fr.
Lavandicre ; Ger. Wcisse Bachstelzc ; Ital. Ballerina ; Siccd.
Ringarla.
64 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
(^ adult, summer. Forecrown, face, sides of neck, and
underparts white ; occiput, nape, throat and chest black, the two
latter separated from the black occiput and nape by white ;
upper parts pale grey, wing coverts and secondaries with pale
tips and margins. Winter : throat white, with a crescentic black
band across breast. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing (^ 86-96,
9 81-90. Tarsus 22-25. ^Jl^ 10-12. $ as (^ but in summer
back browner, chin and throat less black and mixed with white,
black of crown mixed with grey ; in winter forehead grey, chin
and throat dusky white, breast band not so deep black. Young :
brownish grey above ; beneath white with yellow tinge ; crescent
band on chest dark brown.
Breeds, — Continental Europe north to Iceland, Finmark, and
N. Russia ; east to Urals, south to Mediterranean. In Britain
chiefly on passage but occasionally breeds. Migratory ; winters
in S. Europe, N. Africa, Madeira, Canaries, and farther south.
M. alba dukhunensis Sykes. Like typical form but back
clearer grey, white on crown extends farther back, outer webs
of greater and median wing coverts generally whiter.
A Siberian breeding race, whose range extends west to
Caucasus, Volga and Urals. In E. Russia intermediates between
this and typical "alba" are found ("intermedia'' of Domaniewski),
M. alba personata Gould. Like typical "alba" but black of
throat and neck united, ear coverts black.
Breeds. — S.W. Asia. Occurred once England.
M. alba subpersonata Meade Waldo. Like typical form
but lores black, black of throat partly united to that of crown,
a white patch being left on sides of neck.
Resident. — Morocco (Wadi Moor-bey).
Motacilla yarrelli Gould. Pied Wagtail.
^ adult, summer. Resembles " M. alba " but back as well
as nape and crown black ; rump black (in both sexes after
first moult) ; flanks slaty grey. Bill, legs and feet black. In
winter : black on back mixed with grey, on forebreast a black
crescentic band. Wing ^ 84-93, ? 82-89. Tarsus 23-25. Bill
10-12. $ is like (^ but in summer black on breast not so
extensive and back greyer ; in winter, back greyer, flanks less
PASSERES— CERTHIIDAE 65
dark, wings browner. Young : grey above with greenibli tinge,
below white tinged with yellow.
Breeds. — S.W. Norway north to Bergen, S.W. Sweden
(irregular), British Isles, Holland (rare), Belgium, N.W. France.
Partial migrant ; occurs W. Coast Germany and Holland on
passage and in winter S. France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco.
CERTHIIDAE.
Bill curved, nostrils free, no rictal bristles; feet and claws
strong ; primaries ten ; tail feathers twelve.
Oerthia.
Small brown birds with stiff pointed tail feathers; search
bark for insects and larv^ ; nest in recess in tree trunk or
between bark and trunk ; eggs white, spotted light red.
Certhia familiaris familiaris L. Tree Creeper.
Fr. Grimpereau ; Ger. Baumlaufer ; Ital. Rampichino ; Szutd.
Tradkrypare.
(^ $ Above yellowish brown with white central streaks,
rump and upper tail coverts rufous ; quills from 4th with a
yellowish bar ; beneath pure white with slight rusty tinge on
abdomen and flanks, under wing coverts white. Bill dark brown
above, pale below. Legs and feet pale brown. Wing ^ 63-66,
2 60-62. Tail 60-65. Tarsus 15-16. Bill (^ 13-14, 9 11-13.
Hind claw 9 m.m. long.
Rcside?it. — Norway to 69°, Sweden to Arctic Circle, Baltic
Provinces, Russia to 65', east to Urals and into Asia, Denmark,
Germany east of Oder, Poland, Rumania.
C. familiaris macrodactyla Brehm. Darker above (more
brown, less white), rump darker rufous. Bill often longer.
Resident. — Germany west of Oder, Belgium, France (Alps and
Vosges), Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czecho- Slovakia, Italy
(Alps and Apennines), Sicily.
C. familiaris britannica Ridgway. Rather redder than
"macrodactyla' and darker, streaks on crown buff, central
streaks of upper parts not so pure and reduced almost to shaft
lines ; underparts not so pure while.
Resident. — British Isles.
E
66 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
C. familiaris corsa Hartert. Rather larger than " macro-
dactyla/' bill longer and streaks on back more sharply marked.
Bill S I5-5-I6.5, ? I5-I5-5 (H.)-
Reside7it. — Corsica.
C. familiaris caucasica Buturlin. Under side less pure white,
bill and legs darker, and bill and tail longer than in "familiaris."
Bill 14-17. Tail 67-72 (H.).
Resident. — Caucasus.
C. familiaris buturlini Banjkovski. Is said to differ from
typical form by longer bill and more intense colour of upper
tail coverts ; and from " caucasica ^' by its lighter colour
(white and rufous) of upper parts and paler rufous upper
tail coverts and base of tail. Wing ^ 64-66. Tail 68-69.
Bill 18-19 (H.).
Resident. — C r imea.
Certhia brachydactyla brachydactyla Brehm.
Above darker, less rufous and rump darker than in " C. f.
familiaris" or " C. f. britannica"; abdomen and flanks reddish
tinged ; under wing coverts usually marked with dusky at base
of first primary ; under surface dirty white ; outer web of 4th
primary with distinct rusty yellow spot. Bill $ i5-5"i9-5) ?
1 3- 5- 16-5 (H.). Culmen darker almost black. Hind claw short,
7-5 m.m.
Resident. — Holland, Belgium, France, Switzerland, below 1000
feet, C. and S. Germany especially in W., Austria.
C. brachydactyla ultramontana Hartert. Darker than
typical, hardly any rufous except on lower back, rump and upper
tail coverts ; less red on flanks.
Resident. — S. Europe ; Portugal and Spain, S. France, Italy,
S. Dalmatia, Greece.
The Portuguese form has been named "lusitanica" (on
account of streaks on head being finer) but does not appear
separable.
C. brachydactyla mauritanica Witherby. Close to "ultra-
montana " but a darker bird, more mixed with black ; darker
rufous on the rump and pale streaks fewer and more buff.
Resident. — Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia.
PASSERES— SITTIDAE 67
TiCHODROMA.
Habits of "Certhia" but frequenting rocks instead of
trees; tail soft, feathers not pointed; bill longer; claws
powerful for rock climbing ; nest in rock crevice ; eggs white,
finely freckled with dark red at larger end.
Tichodroma muraria (L.). Wall Creeper. Fr. Grim-
pereau de muraille ; Ger. Mauerlaufer ; Ital. Picchio muraiolo.
$ 9 Above slate grey (paler in winter), lesser and middle
wing coverts and outer margins of primaries crimson ; a white
spot on inner web of primaries near the tip ; beneath sooty
grey, cheeks, throat and chest black (in winter throat and chest
white). Bill, legs and feet black. Wing ^ 93-110, $ 93-104.
Tarsus 20-24. Bill ^ 23-30, $ 23-28 (W.).
Breeds. — Alps and mountains of C. and S. Europe, Spain to
Balkans, Carpathians, Caucasus and into Asia ; occasionally strays
from breeding places, e.g. to Baltic Provinces, Britain, Belgium,
Sardinia, Malta, etc.
SITTIDAE.
Toes long and strong with powerful claws ; tarsus short :
tail soft, short; bill straight, wedge-shaped.
SiTTA.
Small climbing birds; sexes nearly alike; food, insects
and larvae, corn, nuts, fruit; nest in crevices of rocks or
holes in trees, entrance narrowed by plastered mud; eggs
like those of "Certhia."
Sitta europaea europaea L. Nuthatch. Fr. Torchcpot ;
Ger. Klciber ; Ital. Picchiotto ; Siued. Notviicka.
^ $ Above bluish slate ; a black stripe through eye to nape ;
central reclriccs like back, remainder black with subterminal
white spots or band ; beneath white, flanks and under tail
coverts chestnut brown. Bill blackish horn above, whitish below.
Legs and feet yellowish grey. Wmg 78-91. Tarsus 17-20. Bill
18-5-19.5 (H.).
AVj-^V/tv/A— Norway to dz N., Sweden, Denmark (Zealand,
Fiinen), N. Russia to 60° N., east to Ufa and Samara. Irregular
occurrence in Finland.
68 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
S. europaea homeyeri Hartert. Close to "europaza" but with
a slight ochreous tinge on breast and abdomen.
Resident. — Baltic Provinces, E. Prussia, Poland.
S. europaea uralensis Gloger. Like " europaea " but smaller.
Wing 80-84 5 beneath pure white with less chestnut on flanks
and under tail coverts.
Resident. — Ural Mountains, Volga Plain, Ufa, N.E. Samara
(where it meets "europaea") and S. Orenburg Provinces; east
into Siberia.
S. europaea caesia Wolf. Like " europaea '^ but darker above ;
chin, throat, cheeks, and ear coverts white ; underparts cinnamon
buff, with chestnut flanks and under tail coverts. Wing ^ 75-79.
Resident. — Denmark (Jutland), Middle and S. Europe (except
Sicily, S. Spain and Portugal).
S. europaea britannica Hartert. Like "c^sia'*' but generally
paler beneath and chestnut of flanks paler. Wing $ 83-88,
$ 80-86 (W.). Bill 15-16.
Resident.— Y.w'gXd.n^^ Scotland (rare).
S. europaea hispaniensis Witherby. Resembles " britannica "
in colour ; is greyer on upper parts and less buff below than
"cassia." Bill shorter and blunter than in either.
Resident. — S. Spain and Portugal.
S. europaea atlas Lynes. Very similar to "caesia" but bill
conspicuously more slender, attenuate, base smaller. Feet and
claws rather weaker. Wings $ average 87 (Lynes).
Resident.— ViididX^ Atlas, Morocco.
S. europaea caucasica Reichenow. Very like "csesia" but
bill 2-3 m.m. shorter and blunter ; an indistinct white line over
black eye-stripe, ending in a spot behind the eye ; shade of under-
parts variable as in "caesia."
Reside?tt. — Caucasus.
Sitta whiteheadi Sharpe.
(^ Above blue slate, crown and ocular stripe black, eyebrow-
white, the two latter extending to nape ; beneath dull buffy
white. Bill blackish, light blue at base. Legs and feet
plumbeous. 9 lacks black on head. Wing ^ 72, $ 7o-5-
Tarsus 17. Bill 15-16 (H.).
Reside?it. — Corsica Mountains.
PASSERES— PARTDK 69
Sitta kriiperi Pclzeln.
rt Above IjIuc slate, forccrown and head black, eyebrow,
cheeks, and throat white ; beneath pale slaty grey with a chest-
nut patch on chest, under tail coverts chestnut with white tips.
Bill dark horn, lighter at base. Legs and feet slate grey. Wing
(^ 76-77, 9 71-73. Tarsus 17-19. Bill 15-16. 9 forepart of
crown only black.
Resident. — Caucasus to Asia Minor.
Sitta neumayeri neumayeri Michahelles. Rock
Nuthatch.
Somewhat resembles " S. europaea," but no chestnut on flanks
and under tail coverts and no white spots on tail ; abdomen,
flanks, and under tail coverts reddish buff. Bill blackish horn.
Legs and feet blue grey. Wing 77-S3 (H.). Tarsus 19-21. Bill
18-19. Sexes alike.
Resident.— S.'K. Europe; Albania, Dalmatia, Herzegovina, and
Croatia to Greece and Asia Minor.
PARID.^— Tits.
Skull comparatively large, bill short; plumage long and
soft with a dowmy after-shaft ; wing short. Sexes nearly alike.
Parus.
Bill short, strong, conical ; nares covered with feathers ;
of restless habits, searching branches, leaves, bark, etc., and
in all attitudes; food, insects and seeds, but some omnivorous
near dwellings ; nest in holes in trees, walls, etc. ; eggs white,
spotted with dark or light reddish brown.
Parus major major L. Great Tit. Fr. Mesange char-
bonnicre ; Ger. Kohlmeise ; Ital. Cinciallegra ; Swcd. Talgmees.
^ Head black, cheeks white, and nuchal patch white tinged
yellow ; back yellow green ; rump and upper tail coverts bluish
grey ; tail, outer webs blue grey, inner webs blackish, outer pair
feathers white outer web and with patch of white at tip of inner
web, penultimate pair with small white tip, third pair often
tipped white ; wing coverts blue grey with white tips ; beneath
70 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
yellow, throat l)lack and continuous with a broad black band
down middle of breast and abdomen. Bill black. Legs and
feet leaden blue. Wing (^ 73-79, ? 70-76, Tarsus 18-20, Bill
9-10. ? like ^ but duller, especially black of throat. Young
have all white parts yellowish.
Breeds. — Continental Europe north to 67° in Norway, south
to Mediterranean, Sicily, Balearic Islands, and in Siberia to
60" E. In winter occurs in Corsica, Sardinia, Corfu, rarely Malta,
occasional British Isles, but is largely resident.
"P. m. sulphureus" (S. Dalmatia) and "P. m. mallorcas"
(Majorca) do not appear separable.
P. major newtoni Prazak. Bill more massive and conical,
about I m.m. longer. Wing $ 74-78, 9 70-75-
Reside?it. — British Islands.
P. major excelsus Buvry. Bill intermediate between " major "
and "newtoni.'^ White on inner web of outer tail feathers much
reduced, sometimes to a small spot, and generally absent on
second pair.
Reside7it. — N. Tunisia, N. Algeria, Morocco, extreme S.
Spain.
P. major corsus Kleinschmidt. Yellow paler, duller, white
on outer tail feathers also much reduced. Wing shorter, ^ 71-73.
Bill as in typical form.
Resideiit. — Corsica, Sardinia.
P. major peloponnesus Parrot. Green on back duller than in
typical form ; yellow below paler.
Residejit. — Greece, Crete, Greek Islands.
Parus caeruleus caeruleus L. Blue Tit. Fr. Mesange
bleue ; Ger. Blaumeise ; Ital. Cinciarella ; Swed. Blames.
$ $ Above yellowish green with a grey tinge, crown, wing
coverts, outer margins of quills and tail feathers azure blue ;
forehead, cheeks and a line encircling the occiput white ; a
dark blue collar ; throat black ; greater wing coverts and inner
secondaries with crescentic white tips ; beneath yellow, with
white in middle of abdomen and a black line down centre of
breast. Bill black. Legs and feet plumbeous. Wing 64-69.
Tarsus 17-18. Bill 6-5-7.
PASSKKKS-PAUIIXi: 71
/)'n\v/j.— Continental Europe north to about 64 in Norway
and 61 ' in Russia, cast to Urals, south to Caspian, N. Caucasus
and N. Spain ; also Asia Minor. Resident. Accidental in Malta
and Britain ; in winter occurs Sardinia.
P. caeruleus obscui'us Pra/.ak. Darker and greener above ;
white tips of secondaries much smaller and not crescentic. Size
less. Wing ^ 60-65, 9 57-63.
Resident, — British Isles.
P. caeruleus ogliastrae Hartert. Above darker than typical
form, yellow below duller; very like "obscurus" but tips of
secondaries crescentic as in typical form. Wing ^ 61-65
(H.).
Resident. — Sardinia, Corsica, Crete (Lynes).
P. caeruleus harterti Tratz. Very near "ogliastras" but
mantle darker and more bluish green. Wing ^ 56-63, 9 57-62.
Resident. — Portugal and Spain except N.
P. caeruleus balearicus Jordan s. Vent and lower breast very
light, white with grey wash; back greyer than in "caeruleus"
especially in $ ; forehead pure white. Wing $ 61-70, $
64-68 (H.).
Resident. — M aj orca.
P. caeruleus ultramarinus Bonaparte. Blue much darker,
crown and collar almost black ; back greyish blue, instead of
green. Wing $ 63-67 (H.).
Resident. — N.W. Africa, Morocco to Tunis.
P. caeruleus teneriffae Lesson. Generally darker than " ultra-
marinus" and has no white spots on secondaries and wing
coverts.
/vV.y/V/(?;//'.— Tencrife, Gran Canaria, Gomera (Canary Islands).
P. caeruleus degener llartcrt. Like "ultramarinus" but paler
above, blue of head rather darker and yellow brighter.
Resident. — P'ucrtcvenlura and Lanzarotc (Canary Islands).
P. caeruleus ombriosus Meade Waldo. Hind neck blue
grey; b.ack olive green, no white on abdomen; upper tail
coverts greenish grey.
Resident. — Hierro (Canary Islands).
72 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
p. cseruleus palmensis Meade Waldo. Darker above and
more slaty grey than "tenerififas" ; centre of breast and abdomen
pure white ; crown intense blue black.
Rcsidc7tt. — Palma (Canary Islands).
P. caeruleus orientalis (Sarudny and Loudoun). Paler than
typical form ; white tips to secondaries broader, blue also paler ;
below, yellow brighter and more white on abdomen.
Resident. — S. Russia, Orenburg, south to Uralsk, Kasan and
Simbirsk.
"Parus pleskii" Cabanis found in N. Russia is a hybrid between
" cyanus " and " cceruleus."
Parus cyanus cyanus Pallas. Azure Tit.
^ 9 Crown and nuchal patch white ; from lores through eye
to nape runs a dark blue stripe, joining a dark blue collar ; back
and lesser wing coverts grey blue with white tips, greater coverts
white with dark blue bases ; outer rectrices white, inner webs
grey at base ; inner webs of inner secondaries white ; beneath
white, with a blue stripe down breast. Bill blackish horn, cutting
edges pale. Legs and feet plumbeous. Wing 67-72. Tarsus 16.
Bill 6-7.
Breeds. — E. Russia and W. Siberia. In winter ranges west
to Baltic Provinces and Poland ; exceptionally further west even
to Holland and south to Austria and Rumania.
P. cyanus tianschanicus (Menzbier). Smaller than
" cyanus." Wing 65, back slaty grey, outer tail feathers with
more grey and less white than in " cyanus " and inner secondaries
with less white on inner webs.
A Siberian breeding race which in winter ranges into east of
Russia.
Parus ater ater L. Coal Tit. Fr. Mesange noire ; Gei\
Tannenmeise ; Ifal. Cincia mora ; Swed. Svartmes.
^ 9 adult. Above bluish grey, greenish on upper tail coverts ;
median and greater wing coverts with white tips ; lower face, sides
of neck and nuchal patch white ; beneath whitish, flanks, sides of
abdomen and under tail coverts buff, under wing coverts and
axillaries white. Bill black. Legs and feet leaden blue. Wing
PASSRRRS— PARim: 73
r( 60-65, 9 58-64. Tarsus 16-17 (W.). IVill 7-^-5- In youn- :
while parts of adult pale yellow.
Rcsidctit. — Continental Europe north to 67-50^ in Norway,
C. and S. Sweden, N. Russia and in Siberia, south to N. Spain,
Italy, Sicily, Hungary and S. Russia.
"P. a. schwederi" from Livonia is not considered
separable.
P. ater britannieus Sharpe and Dresser. Slightly smaller.
Above greyish olive, flanks and under tail coverts brownish buff.
Wing $ 58-62, 9 56-62. Tarsus 16-18.
Resident.— Y.v\g\7vci^ and Scotland, and N.E. Ireland (County
Down).
P. ater hibernicus Ogilvie-Grant. Like "britannieus" but
white parts deeply tinged yellow ; rump, upper tail coverts, flanks
and under tail coverts cinnamon. Wing $, 57-62, 9 56-60.
Resident. — Ireland, except N.E. (County Down).
P. ater sardus Kleinschmidt. Like "britannieus" as to size
but ujjper back grey as in typical "ater"; lower back and rump
greyish olive, flanks rusty brown.
Resident. — Corsica and Sardinia.
P. ater vieirae Nicholson. Intermediate between "ater" and
"britannieus" ; mantle between grey and olive, rump olive brown,
flanks and axillaries more golden buff than in "britannieus."
Wing $ 60-65, 9 56-62.
Resident. — Spain and Portugal.
" P. a. lusitanicus" from Oporto does not appear separable.
P. ater atlas Meade Waldo. Close to "sardus" in colour of
upper parts ; beneath, black of foreneck extends over sides of
breast and in fresh plumage breast is spotted white (these spots
wear off later), flanks grey. Wing 66-69 (H.).
Reside?tt. — Moroccan Atlas.
P. ater ledouci Malherbe. Lower face, sides of neck as well
as breast and abdomen yellow at all ages (characteristic of
young of other races and adult " hibernicus ") ; back grey with
slight olive tinge, flanks greenish grey. Wing 65-68-5 (H.).
Resident. — N. Tunisia and N.Algeria.
74 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
p. ater moltchanovi Menzbier. \^ery near typical "ater"
but back paler bluish grey, flanks almost uniform with abdomen.
Bill longer, lo.
Resident. — Mountains S. Crimea.
P. ater prageri Hellmayer. Back dull grey more or less
washed olive ; rump and upper tail coverts brownish, inner
flanks only rusty buft". Bill short and thick. Wing $ 66-70,
$ 64-66 (H.).
Resident. — N. Caucasus.
Parus cristatus cristatus L. Crested Tit. Fr.
Mesange huppee ; Ger. Haubenmeise ; Ital. Cincia col ciuflb ;
Swed. Tofsmes.
^ 5 Above brown wath slight grey shade ; crown crested,
black with broad white margins ; face and sides of neck white,
mottled slightly black ; a black crescentic band from behind eye,
enclosing ear coverts ; throat black, joined to black band from
nape crossing sides of neck ; beneath white, flanks tinged buff.
Bill black. Legs and feet leaden blue. Wing (^ 62-67, ?
59-65 (W.). Tarsus 18. Bill 7-8.
Resident. — Scandinavia, C. and N. Russia to about
64°, Baltic Provinces, south to Carpathians ; occasional in
Caucasus.
P. cristatus mitratus Brehm. Back browner than in "cris-
tatus,'^ the greyish tinge replaced by rusty ; white of head tinged
buff; flanks more rufous buff.
Resident. — Continental Europe from Denmark and Germany
(except E. Prussia), south to Pyrenees and Cantabrian Mountains
(N. Spain), Mountains of C. Europe, N. Italy, Balkan Peninsula,
Rumania.
P. cristatus scoticus Prazak. Back much darker, more olive
brown ; flanks browner. Smaller. Wing $ 60-65, ? 58-64.
Resident. — Scotland (Spey Valley and E. Ross).
P. cristatus weigoldi Tratz. Back intermediate in colour
between "mitratus" and "scoticus"; smaller than "scoticus."
Wing S 57-63, $ 56-59.
Resident. — Spain (except extreme north) and Portugal.
PASSRRES— PARID.E 75
Parus cinctus cinctus lioddacrt. Sii'.erian Tit.
(^ 9 Crown ami nape grey brown ; scapulars, back and rump
reddish brown ; throat sooty black ; face, sides of neck, breast,
and centre of abdomen white ; flanks and sides reddish buff. Bill
brownish black. Legs and feet plumbeous. Wing ^ 65-68,
$ 65-66. Tarsus 16-18. Bill 7.
Breeds. — N. Scandinavia, south to Dovrefjcld in Norway,
N. Russia, W. Siberia. In winter south to Moscow.
Parus lugubris lugubris Temminck. Sombre Tit.
^ y Above light brown, crown, nape, and throat black ;
cheeks and ear coverts white ; underparts dull white, sides of
breast and flanks tinged pale ashy. Bill dark horn. Legs and
feet leaden blue. Wing 72-76 (H.). Tarsus 20. Bill 8-9.
Resident. — I stria, S. Hungary and Rumania to north parts
Balkan Peninsula. Rare visitor to N. Italy.
P. lugubris lugens Brehm. Smaller than typical form.
Wing 70-73 (H.). Crown duller and browner.
Resident. — Greece.
Parus palustris palustris L. Marsh Tit. Fr. Nonette;
Ger. Sumpfmeise ; Ital. Cincia bigia ; Swed. Karrmes.
(^ 9 Crown to hind neck black with blue gloss ; back
light grey brown, sides of head and neck white ; tail square ;
beneath whitish, flanks, undcrtail coverts, and wing coverts
washed with buff, centre of throat black. Bill Ijlack. Legs and
feet leaden blue. Wing $ 65-67, ? 62-64 (H.). Tarsus 15-16.
Bill 7-7.5-
Resident. — Norway north to 64", S. Sweden, Baltic Provinces,
E. Prussia.
P. palustris stagnatilis Brehm. Back browner, less grey.
Bill larger, 7.5-8.
Resident. — Balkan Peninsula, tlungary and Galicia to S.
Russia, Caucasus, and Asia Minor.
P. palustris communis Baldenstein. Darker brown above than
"stagnatilis" ; sides of head buff-tinged. Wing 65-67-5 (H.).
AVjzV/i?///.— Germany (except E. Prussia), Alps of Austria, W.
Hungary, Holland, Belgium, France, N. Spain.
76 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
p. palustris dresseri vStejneger. Back darker and more rusty
brown ; flanks widely tinged with bright buff; rather smaller.
Wing S S9-(^S, ? 59-62.
Resident. — British Isles ; rare in Scotland and Ireland.
P. palustris italicus Tschusi and Hellmayr. Nearest to
" communis" but redder on upper parts, flanks, and sides of neck.
Resident. — Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia.
Parus atricapillus. Willow Tit. Typical form is
American.
P. atricapillus salicarius Brehm. Differs from " P. palustris"
in having no gloss on the black of head and throat, black extends
further down on throat ; back greyer and mixed with rufous ; tail
graduated, outer tail feathers shorter than others. Bill and legs
as in "palustris." Wing $ 59-65, $ 57-60 (H.). Tarsus 16-17.
Bill 7-8.
Resident. — Germany, Austria to the spurs of Alps.
P. atricapillus rhenanus Kleinschmidt. Very near "sali-
carius " but upper parts duller ; face and ear coverts buffy white.
Wing averages shorter, ^ 58-63 (H.).
Residejit. — Rhine Valley, north from Mainz to Holland and
Belgium and west over France.
P. atricapillus kleinschmidti Hellmayr. Darker and browner
than "rhenanus," underparts rather redder, ear coverts more buff.
Wing S 58-62, ? 56-60.
Resident. — Scotland and England.
P. atricapillus borealis Selys-Longchamps. Above light grey
brown, underparts whiter, crown sometimes brown tinged ; face,
ear coverts, and sides of neck pure white. Wing ^ 63-68,
9 60-63. Tarsus 16-18.
Resident. — Scandinavia to N. Russia, Baltic Provinces and E.
Prussia. In winter, south as far as Poland and Orenburg.
P. atricapillus assimilis Brehm. Like "borealis" but crown
browner and bill longer and more slender ; underparts more buff
as in "rhenanus." Wing ^ 66-69, 9 63-65 (H.).
Reside7it. — Carpathian and Transylvanian Alps ; Mountains of
Bosnia, Serbia, and Montenegro.
PASSERES— PAiUD^ 77
p. atricapillus bianchii (Sarudny and Hiirms). Resembles
"borcalis" but redder grey above; bill short and thick; flanks
more buff.
Known only as a winter visitor to Pskov, Russia.
P. atricapillus montanus Baldenstein. Larger than all other
forms, darker and browner than "borealis" and crown more
mixed with brown. Wing (^ 65-70 (H.).
Rcside7it. — W. Alps, Switzerland.
P. atricapillus elenae (Lowe). In size like "montanus" but
darker. Crown deep dull black, black of throat more extensive,
upper parts dark smoky grey with an olive brown tinge.
AVj/V/tv//.— N.W. Italy (Val Tournanche).
P. atricapillus baicalensis Swinhoe. Nearest " borealis " but
back paler and greyer. Wing ^ 65-70.
Resident. — N.E. Russia and through Siberia east to Japan,
Aegithalus.
Bill short and thick ; tail long, graduated ; plumage very
soft ; sexes much alike ; habits as in " Parus " ; nest oval,
entrance on side near top, in bush or against trunk of tree ;
eggs white, faintly dotted red.
Aegithalus caudatus caudatus (L.). Long-tailed
Tit. Fr. Mesange a longue queue ; Ger. Schwanzmeise ; Ital.
Codi bugnolo ; Swed. Stjiirtmes.
^ 9 Head white, hind neck, middle line of back and upper
tail coverts black ; scapulars and rump rosy ; secondaries white
on outer web ; beneath pure white, tinged rose on flanks and
under tail coverts. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing ^ 62-68,
9 62-67. Tail 88-100. Tarsus 16-18. Bill 4-5. Young: above
dark brown, centre of crown white; beneath dull white, vinous
on abdomen and flanks.
Breeds. — Scandinavia to near Arctic Circle, N. and C. Russia
south to Ufa and Orenburg, E. and C. Germany, and N. Siberia.
Chiefly resident ; occurs in winter to Rumania and Caucasus,
rarer in Belgium and France. Casual in Britain.
A. caudatus europaeus (Hermann). White confined to centre
of crown and spotted with brown ; on each side more or less
78 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
developed black stripe ; across upper breast a row of brown spots
(varying in intensity). Wing 60-67.
Reside?it. — Holland, Belgium, and France, through W.
Germany, Switzerland, N. Italy, Bosnia, and Serbia to Rumania
and Bulgaria.
A. caudatus roseus (Blyth). Centre of crown dull white
much mixed with black ; lateral stripes black and broader, but
not reaching the bill ; beneath dull white with row of dark spots
more developed ; ear coverts with dark streaks ; smaller. Wing
c? 58-63, $ 56-61. Tail $ 80-90, ? 72-87.
Resident. — British Isles, W. France.
A. caudatus taiti Ingram. Resembles "A. c. irbii" in
having practically no rosy feathers on shoulders, but mantle
very much blacker, only a few slaty feathers apparent on back ;
sides of face and pectoral band very distinctly streaked with
sooty blackish. Wing 59-60. Tail 76-83. Is much nearer
"roseus" than "irbii."
Resident. — Portugal and N. Spain to Pyrenees.
A. caudatus irbii (Sharpe and Dresser). Back grey ; mantle
with a few black feathers ; shoulder feathers faintly vinous ;
centre of crown blackish. Wing 55-58. Tail 72-80.
Resident. — C. and S. Spain.
A. caudatus italias Jourdain. Distinguished from "irbii" by
pale vinous colour of shoulders and foreback has more or less
black.
Resident. — Italy.
A. caudatus tyrrhenicus Parrot. Nearest to "irbii" but
back darker grey streaked with black ; white on crown narrow,
lateral stripes very broad ; upper tail coverts and abdomen only
vinous.
Resident. — Corsica.
A. caudatus siculus (Whitaker). Forehead and crown light
brown, whitish median stripe ill defined ; entire back and rump
grey, throat and upper breast white with a few dark feathers ;
lower breast and abdomen whitish tinged pale brown ; flanks and
under tail coverts vinous rose. Wing ^ 57, 9 55- Tail T^i-
Resident. — Sicily.
PASSERES— PARID^. 79
A. caudatus macedonicus (Salvador! and Dresser). Upper
parts like "roscus" but black stripes on sides of head broader
and reach to base of bill ; lores black ; throat with a dark patch
as in "alpinus" ; ring round eye orange red.
AV-y/Vtv/ A— Greece, S. Macedonia.
A. caudatus tauricus (Menzbier). Resembles "curopa^us"
in having crown pure white in centre with little or no admixture
of black and " roseus " in great amount of black on back and
less vinous on scapulars ; lateral crown stripes extend in front of
eye but not so far as bill.
Resident. — Mountains of Crimea.
A. caudatus major (Radde), Like "siculus" but larger,
forehead pale brown and sides of head brown ; back grey as in
"irbii." Wing 60-63 (H.).
Resident. — N. Caucasus.
A. caudatus alpinus (Hablizl) (tephronotus auct.). Allied
to "irbii" but has an iron grey patch on throat, pale parts of
head and throat brownish buff, underparts darker and more
buff, ring round eye orange. Wing 58-61-5 (H.).
Resident. — Turkey (Constantinople district) and east through
Asia Minor to Persia.
Anthoscopus.
Bill pointed and thin; plumage more compact than in
"Parus" and " Aegithalus"; frequent damp localities; nest
globular or purse-shaped, built on outer twigs of trees; eggs
pure white.
Anthoscopus pendulinus pendulinus (L.). Pend-
ULINK Tit. Fr. Mcsange rcmiz ; tier, licutelmeise ; Ital.
Pendolino.
^ $ adult. Crown and hind neck dull white ; frontal band,
face, and ear coverts black ; forecrown behind frontal band and
ujjper back chestnut, rest of upper parts more ochreous ; quills
with creamy white margins ; beneath buff, throat white, breast
chestnut with buff tips. JJill horn black, pale on cutting edges.
Legs and feet dark bluish black. Wing 55-59. Tarsus i5-5-i6-5.
80 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Tail 48-52, Bill 7-8. Young : brown (lacking chestnut and
black), more cinnamon on back and wing coverts.
ResfdefiL—S\)di\n (S. and E.), Pyrenees, Rhone Valley,
Provence, Italy, Sicily, Lower Austria, Hungary, Silesia
(occasional), Poland, Balkan Peninsula to S. Russia and Asia
Minor.
A. pendulinus caspius (Poelzam). Crown and mantle chestnut,
hind neck creamy, white margins of quills broader.
Resident. — Shores of Caspian Sea, deltas of Ural and Volga
Rivers north to Orenburg.
Rbgulus.
Small size ; bill thin and slender ; nostrils with an
operculum and partly covered by a single feather (one
exception only, viz. " R. calendula"); frequent trees searching
for insects; cup nest suspended under branch of conifer;
eggs ochreous white with very fine brown dots.
Regulus regulus regulus (L.). Goldcrest. Fr.
Roitelet ; Ger. Gelbkopfiges ; Ital Regolo ; Swcd. Kungsfogel.
$ Frontal feathers greyish buff, crown yellow, orange in
centre, with black lateral stripes ; upper parts yellowish green,
hind neck and mantle paler, more grey ; beneath greyish white
tinged yellow. Bill black. Legs and feet brown. Wing (J 52-56,
9 51-54. Tarsus 16-18. Bill 7-8. $ Crown yellow without
orange. Young lack yellow on crown and black stripes.
Breeds. — Continental Europe generally, north to limit of
firs, east to Urals, south to Pyrenees on west and in east to
Mediterranean, Asia Minor, and Caucasus. Migratory in north ;
rare Spain, Portugal, and Malta ; occasional Egypt ; occurrence
N.W. Africa doubtful.
R. regulus anglorum Hartert. Darker on back, more olive ;
slightly darker beneath ; green on hind neck instead of grey.
Wing $ 51-55, 9 49-53-
Resident. — British Isles.
R. regulus azoricus Seebohm. Bill about 2 m.m. longer ;
above darker, more olive coloured.
Resideftt. — Azores.
PASSEllES— PAUID.E 81
R. regulus interni Hartert. Sides of head and hind neck
grey ; colour of upper parts duller.
Resident. — Corsica and Sardinia.
R. regulus tenerilfae Seebohm. Black stripes on crown
broader and united across forehead ; colour above darker fas in
"anglorum"). Size smaller. Wing 50-51 (H.).
Resident. — Western Canary Islands.
Regulus ignicapillus ignicapillus (Temminck). Fire-
crest. Fr. Roitelet triple bandeau ; Ger. Feuerkopfiges ; Ital.
Fiorrancino.
^ Frontal feathers more orange buff than in " R. regulus'^ ;
lateral stripes meet in a band across the forehead ; supercilium
white ; crown fiery orange with narrow border of yellow ; sides
of neck golden green. Bill black. Legs and feet brown. Wing
c^ 52-54, ? 47-50. Tarsus 17-18. Bill 7-8. 9 Crown all
yellow.
Breeds. — Continental Europe south of Baltic, south to Medi-
tcrannean ; Sicily, N.W. Africa and Asia Minor. Mostly resident.
Rare in Poland ; occasional in winter Britain and Holland ;
accidental Denmark.
R. ignicapillus madeirensis Harcourt. Darker and greener
above, frontal feathers whitish, crown yellow, no orange. Wing
c^ 55-57, ? 52-53 (H.).
Resident. — Madeira.
(" R. i. minor " Parrot from Corsica is not considered tei:iable.)
Panurus.
Nostrils covered with operculum; bill pointed; culmeii
curved; tail long, graduated; inhabit reedy localities; nest
deep cup low down among aquatic plants; eggs white, sparsely
covered with reddish brown scratches.
Panurus biarmicus biarmicus (L.). Bearded Tit.
Fr. Mesange barbue ; Ger. JJartmcise ; Ital. Basettino.
^ adult. Fawn colour above, crown and face lavender,
moustachial line black, wing coverts and secondaries with long
black streaks and rusty white inner margins ; beneath, throat
F
82 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
and breast pinkish grey, middle of abdomen white, flanks light
brown, under tail coverts black. Bill dark yellow. Legs and feet
black. Wing 59-62. Tail 80-87. Tarsus 21-22. Bill 7-5.
$ Crown dull brown, no moustachial stripe, back reddish
brown with some broad black streaks (also occasionally on
crown) ; beneath paler than in ^ and under tail coverts fawn
like flanks. Wing 55-62. Young are like 9 but more streaked
with black above.
Resident. — England (local), Holland, Belgium, W. and C.
Germany ; S. Europe from E. Spain through S. France and Italy
to Greece.
P. biarmicus russicus (Brehm). $ much paler, especially
on back ; upper tail coverts pink tinged. $ very pale, no black
streaks on back.
Residcjit. — Hungary, E. Galicia, Rumania, Bulgaria and
S. Russia to Volga Delta and Caucasus and on through Asia
to Manchuria.
LANIID-^— Shrikes.
Bill powerful, hooked; upper mandible toothed; nostrils
rounded, no operculum.
Lanius.
Plumage of young above and below with wavy lines; these
persist in many of females ; perch in exposed positions ; have
the habit of impaling prey on thorns ; cup nest in bushes,
etc. ; eggs white, varying to buff or pale green, spotted with
brown of various shades, often in a zone.
Lanius minor Gmelin. Lesser Grey Shrike. Fr. Pie-
grieche d'ltalie ; Ger. Kleiner Wiirger ; Ital. Averla cenerina.
^ $ adult. Above light grey ; forehead and a band from
lores to ear coverts black ; wings black, primaries white at base,
showing a speculum, ist primary short, about as long as primary
coverts ; tail, two central pairs feathers black with white bases,
remainder increasingly white to outer pairs, which are generally
entirely white (shafts black) ; beneath white, breast, abdomen,
and flanks tinged rosy colour. Bill, legs and feet black.
PASSERES— LANIID.E 83
Wing (^ 1 14-123, 9 1 13-122 (W.). Tarsus 24-26. Bill 13-14.
Young : above grey brown with wavy bars, ear coverts dark
brown, wing coverts brown tipped white ; beneath creamy white,
faintly barred on flanks.
Breeds. — C. and S. Europe (Spain very local ; Germany
sporadic except N.W. ; Belgium rare) north to Baltic and Baltic
Provinces, C. and vS. Russia and across Siberia to Altai ; Caucasus,
Asia Minor, Sardinia, and Sicily. Migrates ; occurs Egypt on
passage ; winters tropical Africa. Rare visitor to Denmark,
Sweden, Holland, and Britain.
Lanius excubitor excubitor L. Great Grey Shrike.
Fr. Pie-grieche grise ; Ger. Grau Wiirger ; Ital. Averla maggiore ;
Siucd. Storre Tornskata.
^ $ adult. Above light grey, whitish on scapulars ; wing
black, white speculum on primaries, or on both primaries and
secondaries, tips of secondaries and inner primaries white, ist
primary half length of 2nd ; narrow eyebrow white, band from
lores to ear coverts black ; tail, two central pairs of feathers black,
remainder increasingly white to outer, which are entirely white ;
beneath white, slightly tinged rosy in autumn, occasionally also
in summer. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing ^ !o8-ii6, $
107-116. Tarsus 26-29. Bill 15-16. Young: duller, brown tinged
above, speculum smaller or almost absent, breast with faint
wavy bars.
Breeds. — N. and C. Europe, south to Pyrenees, Mountains
of Venetia, S. Hungary, in Russia south to Moscow ; and
throughout W. Siberia. Occurs in winter British Isles, S.E.
France, C. and S. Italy, Balkan Peninsula, S. Russia, Asia
Minor and Caucasus. Rare visitor to Faroes, Mediterranean
Islands and Spain.
L. excubitor homeyeri Cabanis. More white on forehead,
supercilium, scapulars, tips of secondaries, and upper tail coverts ;
generally paler grey and intermediate with " przewalskii " of
Central Asia. Wing iii-i2o(H.).
Breeds. — Rumania, Bulgaria, S.E. Russia to Kirghiz Steppes
and Caucasus, north to Orenburg and Moscow ; also W. Siberia.
In winter occasional in Greece ; accidental elsewhere in C. and S.
Europe.
84 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
L. excubitor przewalskii Bogdanow. Much paler even than
"homcyeri," with more white on forehead, lores, supercilium
and upper tail coverts ; primaries half white ; scapulars and
secondaries with white predominating,
A C. Asian race, occurring west to Orenburg ; once in Italy.
L. excubitor mollis Eversmann. A browner bird with a
single speculum in wing ; rump and upper tail coverts white
with in autumn a rosy tinge, and beneath always traces of
wavy bars.
A Siberian race, which occurs in winter at Orenburg (Grote).
L. excubitor meridionalis Temminck. Much darker grey
above, speculum very small, white eye-stripe reaches base of
bill; beneath rosy, tinged greyish. Wing (^ 102-110, 9 103-108.
Tarsus 30-31. Bill 15-16. Young : ashy brown above, below pale
with indistinct wavy bars.
Breeds. — Spain and Portugal, S. France. Rare visitor Italy.
Has occurred England and Heligoland.
L. excubitor algeriensis Lesson. Adult resembles "merid-
ionalis'' but bill stronger and underparts grey, not rosy; little
or no eye-stripe ; frontal band narrow and black, and more
black on lesser wing coverts. Wing 104-112 (H.). In young
wavy bars are hardly visible.
Resident. — N. Morocco, Algeria and Tunis, north of Atlas.
Occurred once Italy.
L. excubitor dodsoni Whitaker. Resembles "algeriensis"
but paler above ; below, varies from grey to buffy white ; black
frontal band generally absent.
Resident. — C. and S. Morocco, and locally in Algeria and
Tunis. Distribution is confusing. It appears to penetrate the
area of "algeriensis" in W. Algeria, and extends along the
Atlas as far as Tunisia, north of range of " L. e. elegans."
L. excubitor koenigi Hartf.rt. Smaller than "dodsoni" and
" algeriensis," rather darker than former and paler than latter.
Bill longer and more slender. Wing ^ 9 99" 105 (H.),
Resident. — Canary I slands.
li. excubitor elegans Swainson. Paler grey than other N.
African races, resembling typical form ; speculum on primaries
PASSERES— LANIID^. 85
often very lart;c; secondaries mostly wliite; rump wliitish ; iindcr-
jiarts very white. Some specimens liavc some black at base of
bill and others have three outer pairs of rectrices entirely white.
/vV.svVtv//.— Alj^eria south of Atlas Mountains to Ej^ypt, Sudan
and Palestine.
Lanius senator senator L. Woodchat Shrike. Fr.
Pie-grieche rousse ; Ger. Rotkopfwiirger ; Ital. Averla capirossa.
$ adult. Crown and nape chestnut ; forehead, face, ear
coverts, and upper l^ack black ; lower back grey ; scapulars,
speculum, upper tail coverts, and base of all but central rectrices
white, base of central rectrices black ; beneath bufty white. Pjill,
legs and feet black. Wing $ 9^-99, 9 92-95. Tarsus 22-24.
P>ill 13-14. In 9 black is replaced by dark brown. Young:
grey brown, barred ; scapulars, upper tail coverts, and under-
parts more bufif with darker arrow-shaped marks ; margins of
secondaries reddish.
/yr^\.
primary 3-7 m.m. longer than coverts ; 2nd between 6th and 7th,
PASSERES— MUSCICA VW.V. 105
larcly 5th and ^tli ; 31^, 4tli, and 5th cniai\c;inatc outer webs.
I'lill l>r()wn, yellowish below at base. Lcj^^s and feet pale l)rown.
Win^ 64-69. Tarsus 20-22 (II.). l>ill 11-12.
Breads. — Ei^ypt (Nile Valley). Migrates ; occurs in winter
Nubia and Soudan.
H. pallida elaeica (Lindermayer). Upper parts more ^Tey,
less brown than in "pallida." ^Ving (^ 64-6S, 9 63-65. Tarsus
20-23 (W.).
Ih'ceds. — Balkan Peninsula, Rumania, Dalmatia, Greece, Greek
Islands, Asia Minor to Persia and Transcaspia. Winters E.
Africa and S. Arabia. Once recorded E<,^ypt.
H. pallida reiser! Hilgert. ist primary ro m.m. longer than
primary coverts ; paler, greyer, less olive above than typical form.
Wing 65-68 (H.).
Breeds. — Oases S. Algeria.
H. pallida opaca Cabanis. A western form of "pallida."
Bill larger and broader, 12-13. Wing longer, 66-72.
Breeds.— Vi\M\^ and S. Spain, Morocco, N. Algeria, Tunisia.
Rare visitor S. France, Italy, and Egypt. Winters oases Sahara,
and W. tropical Africa.
Hypolais scita (Eversmann). (" H. caligata" of authors).
Smaller than " pallida," darker and redder above, more rusty on
breast; ist primary 4-7 m.m. longer than coverts; 2nd between
6th and 7th ; 3rd, 4th, and 5th longest. Wing 57-61 (H.).
Jh-eeds.—Y.. Russia (Olonetz and Moscow to Astrakhan and
Kirghiz Steppes, Urals, Samara, Orenburg and Volga Valley),
Caucasus, also W. Siberia to Yenisei. Winters in N. and C.
India.
Sylvia.
Rictal bristles less developed than in " Acrocephalus" and
"Hypolais"; small insectivorous birds (mostly migratory);
nest, a cup in bushes, trees, or amongst plants near the
ground ; eggs spotted.
Sylvia nisoria nisoria (Bechstcin). Barrkd Wari;lkr.
Fr.' liabillarde cpervicre ; Ger. Sperbergrasmuckc ; Ital. Bigia
padovann.
106 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
(^ Above grey, tinged brown, scapulars, secondaries, rump,
and upper tail 'coverts with faint dark bars and white tips ; outer
rectrices bordered white both webs, the others, except central,
white on inner web only ; beneath white with dark scale-like bars ;
1st primary about half the length of primary coverts ; 2nd equal
to 3rd. Bill dark horn, yellowish at base below. Legs and feet
brownish grey. Wing (^ 84-90, $ 83-87. Tarsus 24-25. Bill
lo-ii. 9 browner above and less barred below. Young: no
bars except on under tail coverts ; below buff tinged especially
on flanks, under tail coverts and abdomen.
Breeds. — Denmark, S. Norway and Sweden, Germany (local
and rarely west of Rhine), south to N. Italy, Balkans and Rumania,
east through Baltic Provinces and C. and S. Russia to S. Ural.
Migrates ; occurs on passage Britain, Holland, France, Switzer-
land, S. Italy, Greece. Winters in E. Africa.
S. nisoria merzbacheri Schalow\ Somewhat paler grey above.
Wing 86-93.5 (H.).
A W. Siberian form whose range extends to Caucasus.
Sylvia hortensis hortensis (Gmelin). Orphean
Warbler. Fr. Fauvette orphee ; Ge?: Sangergrasmiicke ; //a/.
Bigia grossa.
^ Above grey brown, crown, nape, and ear coverts sooty
black ; throat and underparts white with a pinkish buff tinge,
deepest and browner on flanks and under tail coverts ; outer pair
tail feathers white except a small part of inner web. Bill black
above, bluish below with black tip. Legs and feet bluish grey.
Wing ^ ? 74-83. Tarsus 22-24. Bill 10-12. 9 Crown browner,
less contrasted, ear coverts always dark.
Breeds. — C. and S. France, Luxemburg, S. Switzerland, Italy
(chiefly in N.), Balearic Islands, Spain, Portugal, N. Africa
(Morocco to Tripoli). Migrates ; not common on passage Sicily
and rare in Malta. Winters Saharan oases to W. tropical Africa.
Accidental Britain, Heligoland, pjelgium, and Tyrol.
S. hortensis crassirostris Cretzschmar. Bill longer and more
massive, 12-13 ; pinkish tinge below more rusty.
Breeds. — S.E. Europe ; Dalmatia, Montenegro, Greece, S.
Russia ; and Asia Minor into S.W. Asia. Occurs on passage
Egypt. Winters India, S. Arabia, and N.E. Africa.
PASSERRS — MUSnCAlMm: 107
Sylvia simplex Latliam. Oarkkn \\'ari;m:r. F>:
I-amcttc dcs jarclins ; dr. (iartcnt,M'asniiickc ; J /a/. IJcrcafK o ;
S^ucii. Tradgal■clss:lnL,^arcn.
^ 9 Above brown, tinged olive ; beneath white, throat,
breast, flanks, and under wings rusty buff; ist primary shorter
than coverts, 2nd between 3rd and 4th, 3rd longest. Bill dark
brown, yellowish at base below. Legs and feet greyish brown.
Wing $ 71-81, 9 72-80, Tarsus 20-22. Bill 9-10.
Breeds. — British Isles, Continental Europe to about 70'' N.,
east to Urals, N. Slopes of Caucasus, and through W. Siberia to
Yenisei. In Greece only on passage ; also occurs then in
X. Africa (Morocco to Egypt). Winters C. and S. Africa.
Eastern birds from S. Russia and Siberia are paler and greyer
than western birds, and average somewhat longer in wing.
Sylvia atricapilla atricapilla (L.). Blackcap. Fr.
Fauvette ii tcte noire ; Ger. Schwarzkopf; Ital. Capinera ; Sived.
Svarthufvadesangare.
^ adult. Above brownish olive green, crown black not
descending below eye ; throat grey ; nape and underparts pale
grey ; no white on tail. Bill black above, bluish below with
black tip. Legs and feet bluish grey. Wing ^ 9 7^-79- Tarsus
20-2F. Bill 9-10. $ and young : crown red brown.
Breeds. — Throughout Europe and British Isles, north to 69" in
Norway, and about 62° in Russia ; Caucasus, Azores, Morocco,
Algeria, and Tunis north of Atlas, also Asia Minor and W. Siberia.
Winters Mediterranean basin, Egypt, and further south in Africa.
S. atricapilla heineken (Jardine). Darker above than typical
form and browner on llanks. In Madeira and Palma (Canaries), an
aberrant form occurs, dingy olive green both above and below, and
in f^ entire head and chest black. Wing ^ 69-72, 9 68-71 (H.).
Resident. — Madeira and Canary Islands ((iran Canaria,
Tencrifc, Palma, (lomcra, Hicrro).
Sylvia communis communis Latham. Whitethroat.
Fr. liabillarde grisette ; Gcr. Dorngrasmiicke ; Hal, Sterpazzola ;
Slued. Tornsangare.
(^ Above greyish brown, greyer on crown ; wing coverts
and quills edged rufous brown, broader and brighter on inner
secondaries ; beneath white, rosy tinged on breast, flanks and
108 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
under tail coverts buff; eye-rim pale red; ist primary almost
as long as primary coverts. Bill dark brown above, paler below.
Legs and feet pale brown. Iris yellowish brown. Wing ^ 69-74,
$ 68-70. Tarsus 20-22. Bill 9-10. ? browner; beneath buffy
white without rosy tinge on breast.
Breeds.— British Isles ; Continental Europe north to about 64°,
and east to Urals ; Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia, Crete,
Morocco, also Asia Minor. Occurs on passage Egypt and
N.W. Africa. Winters Africa and S. Arabia.
S. communis icterops Menetries. Upper parts and wings
darker, edges to secondaries less rufous. Somewhat larger.
Wing 74-78 (H.). Iris yellow.
A W. Siberian breeding form whose range extends into
Caucasus, also to Orenburg, where it meets typical form. Occurs
in Egypt on passage.
Sylvia curruca curruca (L.). Lesser Whitethroat.
Fr. Babillarde ordinaire ; Ger. Zaungrasmiicke ; Swcd. Artsmyg.
$ $ Above pale grey brown, greyer on crown ; lores and
ear coverts dark brown ; beneath greyish white with faint rosy
tinge ; ist primary longer than coverts, 2nd between 5th and 6th ;
tiny feathers on eyelids white. Bill dark horn, whitish below at
base. Legs and feet plumbeous. Iris greyish brown. Wing
$ 63-70, 9 62-66. Tarsus 18-20. Bill 8-9.
Breeds. — England ; Continental Europe to about 64° N., east
to Urals ; Caucasus. May breed Scotland but occurs chiefly on
passage, very rare Ireland. Spain on passage in east. Migrates
chiefly to south-east. Winters N.E. Africa.
S. curruca afflnis Blyth. Like typical form, but 2nd primary
shorter than 6th, usually between 6th and 7th, sometimes
7th and 8th.
A Siberian race whose breeding range extends into Russia
(Orenburg and Lower Volga Steppes). Occurs in Egypt (Nicoll).
Winters in India. Has been reported as occurring in C. and W.
Europe ; once obtained at Fair Isle.
S. curruca minula Hume. Paler above than typical form
and " affinis " ; 2nd primary generally between 7th and 8th.
Wing 60-65.
B7'eeds. — S.W. Asia. Has occurred at Orenburg (Grote).
PASSERES— MUSCICAPID.E 109
Sylvia nana nana (Hemprich and Ehrenberg).
J 9 Al)ovc ;4reyish sandy Ijrown, rufous on inner secondaries,
uj^per tail coverts, and central tail feathers ; beneath white,
tinged pinkish buff; outer tail feathers white. l>ill brownish
horn, yellowish at base below. Legs and feet straw yellow.
1st primary somewhat longer than coverts, 2nd between 5th and
Clh. Wing 56-61. Tarsus 18-20. Culmen 9-10-5 (H.).
Breeds. — S.W. Asia ; from Sinai to W. India. Has occurred
in Egypt.
S. nana deserti (Loche). $ $ Above redder, more sandy
colour ; beneath creamy white. Wing 56-59 (H.).
Resident. — Sandy deserts of Algeria, Tunisia, and Tripoli ;
once occurred in Italy.
Sylvia ruppelli Temminck. Rlppell's Warbler.
r^ Above grey ; crown, lores, ear coverts, chin, and throat
black ; moustachial stripe white ; beneath creamy white tinged
rosy. Dill blackish brown, yellowish at base below. Legs and
feet reddish brown, ist primary slightly shorter than coverts,
2nd, 3rd and 4th equal. Wing ^ 68-73, $ 66-69. Tarsus 20-21
(W.). Bill lo-ii. $ Chin and throat white; crown and ear
coverts duller black, tipped grey on crown.
Breeds. — Greece, Crete, Asia Minor and Palestine. Occurs
on passage in Egypt, especially in spring. Winters in N.E.
Africa. Has twice occurred in Britain.
Sylvia melanocephala melanocephala Gmelin.
Sardinian Wardler. Ital. Occhio-rosso.
^ Above slate, slightly tinged brown ; crown and ear
coverts black ; beneath white, pure on throat and chest, more
or less ashy elsewhere ; outer pair of tail feathers largely white,
2nd and 3rd tipped white ; 1st primary longer than coverts,
2nd between 7th and 8th, 3rd to 5th emarginate. Eye-ring refl.
Bill black, pale at base below. Legs and feet pale brown, soles
yellow. Wing <^ 56-62, 9 55-5^- Tarsus 19-21. Bill 8-10.
Tail 58-65. 9 Above olive brown, greyer on crown ; beneath
whitish, brown on flanks. Young : generally browner than 9*
Breeds. — S. France, Pyrenees, Spain, Portugal, N. Africa
(Morocco to Tripoli), Mediterranean Islands, Italy and Croatia
110 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
to Greece, Bessarabia, Asia Minor and Palestine. Largely
resident, occurs in Egypt in winter. Accidental in Britain and
Switzerland.
S. melanocephala leucogastra (Ledru). (^ Smaller than
typical form ; white on tail less in extent and less pure, more
grey. Wing 55-58 (H.). $ darker above than typical $ , and
less white on tail.
Resident. — Canary Islands (east and west groups).
S. melanocephala momus (Hemprich and Ehrenberg). Bow-
man's Warbler. ^ smaller than typical form. Wing 55-59 (H.),
browner above, black of crown sharply contrasting ; beneath less
ashy, purer white. 9 as typical 9 but uniform above, crown
not greyer.
Breeds. — Palestine to W. Persia. Occurs on passage Egypt
in spring.
S. melanocephala norrisae Nicoll. $ as in typical form but
back brown. Wing 55. Tail 52.
Breeds. — Lake Birket Karun, Fayoum, Middle Egypt.
Sylvia mystacea Menetries.
^ Resembles "melanocephala" but crown greyer, not so
black, and less strongly contrasted with back ; beneath, chin
and middle abdomen white, rest of underparts vinous, flanks
tinged grey. Ring round eye orange. Bill brown, yellowish at
base below. Legs and feet reddish brown. Wing 58-63. Tarsus
18. Tail 56-60. Culmen ii-5-i2-5 (H.). 9 Above pale grey
brown, beneath buffy white.
Breeds. — S.W. Asia. Of rare occurrence Egypt in spring.
Sylvia subalpina subalpina Temminck. Subalpine
Warbler. Ital. Sterpazzolina.
$ Above grey, tinged brown ; moustachial stripe white ;
throat and breast cinnamon in contrast to paler flanks, but
occasionally pinkish cinnamon on entire underparts ; abdomen
white. 1st primary about equal to coverts, 2nd between 5th and
6th, 3rd to 5th emarginate. Bill dark brown above, paler below
at base. Legs and feet pale brown, $ Above pale brown,
beneath white, tinged pinkish buff especially on breast and flanks.
Wing $ 52-62, 9 52-60. Tarsus 18-20. Bill 7-8. Tail 52-55.
PASSERES— M USCICA PID^. 1 1 1
Breeds. — S.E. France, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Malta
(some), Spain and Portugal. Partly resident. Occurs Algeria
and Malta on passage. Accidental Britain and Switzerland.
S. subalpina albistriata (Brehm). 2nd primary longer,
generally between 3rd and 4th or equal to 4th ; rictal stripe
broader, throat and breast deeper cinnamon, flanks paler, more
white on abdomen. Wing ^ 59-65 (H.).
Breeds. — Balkan Peninsula, Greece, Greek Islands, Crete,
Asia Minor. Occurs on passage Egypt and Malta, and in
spring Algeria and Tunis. Winters N.E. Africa, S. Arabia,
Saharan oases.
Both typical "subalpina"' and "albistriata" occur in Malta.
Two specimens obtained 4/9/14 belong to the latter race ; two
others obtained 9/9/14 belong to the former.
S. subalpina inornata Tschusi. ^ like typical form but
throat and flanks darker, more brick red than pink. 9 also
darker below.
Breeds. — Tripoli, Algeria, Tunis, and Morocco.
Sylvia conspicillata conspicillata Temminck.
Spectacled Warbler. Ital. Sterpazzola sarda.
^ Above brown ; crown grey, lores and ear coverts darker ;
ring of small feathers round eye white ; greater wing coverts
and secondaries with broad cinnamon edges ; beneath, upper
throat white, lower slaty, rest of underparts pinkish vinous ;
1st primary a little longer than coverts, 2nd between 5th
and 6th. Bill dark horn, yellowish at base below. Legs
and feet pale brown. $ Above brown, tinged grey on
crown, underparts paler than in ^. Wing ^ ? 53-59- Tarsus
18-20. Bill 7-8. Tail 51-55. Young: ui)per parts including
crown brown.
Breeds. — S.E. France (Savoy, Rhone Delta, Carmargue),
Italy (local), Spain, Portugal, N. Africa (Morocco to Tunis),
N. Sahara, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Palestine. Occurs
Egypt in winter and may breed there.
S. conspicillata bella Tschusi. Darker throughout in both
sexes.
Resident. — Madeira, Canary Islands, and Cape X'erde Islands.
112 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Sylvia deserticola Tristram.
^ Crown and upper parts grey with reddish tinge on back,
wing coverts and quills with broad cinnamon margins, tail long
and rounded; beneath reddish chestnut; ist primary about
2-4 m.m. longer than coverts, 2nd between 7th and 8th. Bill
dark brown, yellowish below at base. Legs and feet yellowish
brown. ? paler throughout. Wing ^ ? 53-57- Tarsus 17-18.
Culmen 11-12. Tail 55-58 (H.).
Breeds. — Atlas Mountains of Tunis and Algeria. Winters in
Sahara.
S. deserticola maroccana Hartert. Like typical form but
cinnamon on wing feathers reduced to narrow margins.
Breeds. — High Atlas, W. Morocco.
Sylvia undata undata (Boddaert). Dartford Warbler.
Fr. Pitchou de Provence ; I/aL Magnanina.
(^ Above slaty grey, with strong brown tinge ; crown greyer ;
beneath reddish chestnut with white tips on throat feathers,
middle abdomen whitish, flanks greyish. Eye-rim orange yellow.
1st primary 5-6 m.m. longer than coverts, 2nd short, between 9th
and loth. Bill dark horn, yellowish below at base. Legs and
feet brown. $ duller above ; beneath paler, more vinous. Wing
5 ? 53-57« Tail long, graduated, central feathers 64-72, outer
feathers 53-57 (H.). Tarsus 18-20. Bill 7-9.
Breeds. — Central and S. France, Spain and Portugal, on east
side south to Aguilas, and on west at least to Tagus, C. and
S. Italy, N. Italy (rare), Malta (rare). Apparently resident.
S. undata dartfordiensis Latham. Rather smaller, above dull
chocolate brown, tinged grey on crown, flanks brownish. Wing
6 50-54, ? 50-52 (w.).
Resident.— S. England, Channel Islands, N.W. France.
" S. u. armorica " (Crette de Palluel) is not considered
separable.
S. undata toni Hartert. Greyer and smaller than " dartford-
iensis." Wing $ 49-52, $ 49-50. Bill 6-8. Outer tail feathers
50-55.
/vesiden/.— Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, S. Spain (Algeciras).
Has been recorded by Favier as migrating at Tangier.
PASSEKES— M USCICA VI D.K 1 1 3
S. undata corsa Laubmann. Underparts paler and more
vinous than typical form. Size as " toni."
Resilient. — Corsica, Sardinia, Pantellaria.
Sylvia sarda sarda Temminck. Marmora's Warbler.
^ Above dark ashy grey, darker on crown ; throat, breast
and flanks grey, abdomen whitish, tinged faint vinous ; ist
primary much longer than coverts, 2nd between yth and 8th.
Eye-rim red. Bill dark horn, yellow below at base. Legs and
feet yellow brown. $ Browner above, abdomen white, flanks
brownish. Wing ^^ 9 56-58-5. Tarsus 20-21. Culmen 1 1-5-I2-5.
Tail 62-65 (H.).
Resident. — Corsica, Sardinia, Italy (Liguria), S. Sicily,
Pantellaria, Algeria, Tunisia.
S. sarda balearica Jordans. c^ underparts lighter, whiter.
$ above and below browner than $ " sarda." Smaller. Wing
c^? 48-51 (H.).
Resident. — Balearic Islands (Majorca, Cabrera, Dragonera,
Iviza).
Agrobates.
Tail strongly rounded, feathers very broad ; often found
in dry and sandy localities ; creeping birds, often on ground
or perching in low^ trees with conspicuous movement of tail;
nest in cactus, hedges, or fork of tree, often with piece of
serpent skin interwoven; eggs variable, french white or pale
grey, sometimes greenish, with underlying greyish blotches
and small dark brown surface spots.
Agrobates galactotes galactotes (Temminck). Ruious
Wakdler.
(^ $ Above bright reddish isal^elline, tail redder ; supercilium
white ; all but central pair of rectrices with black subterminal
band and white tips ; beneath buffy white. Bill dark brown, pale
at base below. Legs and feet pale brown. Wing 83-89. Tarsus
25-27. Bill 12-14.
Breeds. — Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunis, Egypt,
Palestine. Migrates. Winters Africa, proljably not south of the
line Port Soudan, Khartoum, Bahr el Cihazal. Rare visitor to
Britain, Italy, Sicily, Heligoland, Malta.
li
114 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
A. galactotes syriacus (Hemprich and Ehrenberg). Upper
parts brownish grey with only slight red tinge, rump and upper
tail coverts brown red ; beneath greyer.
Breeds.— Balkan Peninsula, Ionian Islands, Greece to Asia
Minor, Palestine (north of Lebanon), Syria. Rare visitor to west
of Europe. Winters S. Arabia and N.E. Africa (recorded Kenya
Colony in March).
A. galactotes familiaris (Menetries). Upper parts grey
brown, no red tinge, rump and tail duller ; underparts paler.
Breeds. — S. Caucasus to N.W. India. Occurred once
Heligoland.
SCOTOCERCA.
Small pale brown Warblers with .short rounded tail of lo
feathers ; inhabit bare stony hills, restless, gliding from bush
to bush, stone to stone, or running up boughs like Creeper,
sit with tail vertical, expanding and jerking it, repeatedly
rising from perch, poising and dropping again. Nest, globular,
in a bush; eggs white with small red spots.
Scotocerca inquieta inquieta (Cretzschmar).
(^ $ Above brownish buff striated with black, faintly on back,
more distinctly on head, space before and behind eye dark brown,
tail dark brown faintly barred, outer pair feathers shorter with
broader white tips ; beneath white, reddish buff on flanks, and
with dark shaft streaks on throat. Iris yellow. Bill dark
brown. Legs and feet yellowish brown. Wing (J 48-50, 9
46-47. Tail 50. Tarsus 19. Culmen 11-5 (H.).
Resident. — N. Egypt, Arabia, S. Palestine.
S. inquieta saharae (Loche). Slightly paler (especially in
summer when bleached) ; a desert form. Feet light orange.
Iris pale greenish yellow. Young : iris grey blue, tarsi reddish.
Resident. — Algeria, Tunisia (south of Atlas) to Cyrenaica.
Prinia.
Small brown Warblers with long graduated tail of 10
feathers ; restless habits ; nest purse-shaped or oval with side
entrance, in fork of bush or woven among reeds; eggs
variable, greenish or bluish white, thickly dotted with red.
PASSERES— MUSCICAPID.i: 115
Prinia gracilis gracilis (Lichtcnstcin).
J $ Above grey brown with dark striations, tail faintly barred
with white tips and dark subterminal bar ; beneath white tinged
butif. Bill dark brown, pale below at base. Legs and feet
yellowish flesh. Wing 45-48. Tail 55-62. Tarsus 17-18.
Ciilmen 10-12 (H.).
/vVjvV/tv//.— Nile Valley from Dongola south ; Fayoum.
P. gracilis deltae Rcichcnow. Darker above with much
bolder striations.
Resident. — Lower Egypt (Luxor to Damietta), east to Suez.
P. gracilis natronensis Nicoll. Paler above than typical
form. Bill larger. Wing 46.
Resident. — Wadi el Natron, Egypt (north-west of Cairo).
CiSTICOLA.
Tail 12 feathers, fan-shaped; small brown Warblers
frequenting grain fields or tangled herbage, also reeds; nest
a purse, with opening at top, amongst grass or low in bush;
eggs varial^le, pale blue unspotted or pale blue or white
spotted rufous.
Cisticola cisticola cisticola (Temminck). Fantail
Wariu,er.
^ 9 Above reddish buff, streaked black, rump and upper
tail coverts rufous ; beneath reddish buff, throat white ; tail
graduated with white tips and black subterminal bar. Bill
dark brown, yellowish white at base, below, inside mouth black.
Legs and feet yellow brown. Wing ^ 45-5-, $ 44-50-
Tarsus 16-19. Bill 8-10.
Resident. — S. Spain, Portugal, Balearic Islands, Morocco,
Algeria, N. and C. Tunisia, Egypt.
"C. c. arquata" (N. Africa), "C. c. mauritanica" (Algeria),
and "C. c. jordansi " (Portugal), are not separable.
C. cisticola harterti Witherby. Edgings to feathers of upi)er
jxirts more buff and less grey, undcrparts more buff.
Resident. — .S. Europe from France and Italy to Circece, Asia
Minor, and Egypt.
116 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Crateropus.
An African and Indian genus of birds, about size of
Thruslies ; frequent scrubby country in small parties; noisy;
food, insects, berries, seeds ; nest in bush ; eggs blue.
Crateropus fulvus fulvus (Desfonlaines).
(^ $. Sandy rufous above, redder on crown ; beneath paler,
throat white, middle of abdomen whitish. Bill dark brown.
Legs and feet greenish grey brown. Wing (^ 98-102, 9 about
5 m.m. less. Tarsus 32-34. Culmen 25-26-5 (H.).
Resident. — S. Morocco, S. Algeria, Tunisia, Tripoli.
TURDUS.
Young spotted ; fine songsters; almost omnivorous; nest,
a cup in bushes, trees, or on ground ; eggs blue or blue green,
nearly always spotted or blotched with dark or reddish brown.
Turdus aureus Holandre. White's Thrush.
(^ $ Above ochreous brown, beneath paler, both above and
below with black crescentic spots ; axillaries, basal half white,
terminal half black ; near the base of each quill (beginning
usually at 3rd primary) is a buff-coloured spot, these combined
form on under surface of wing a yellowish band ; tail 14 feathers.
Bill brown, yellowish at base below. Legs and feet yellowish
brown. Wing $ 9 152-164. Tarsus 35-39. Bill 21-22.
Breeds. — E. Siberia and Japan. Of occasional occurrence in
Europe, generally in winter.
Turdus sibiricus sibiricus Pallas.
$ Above dark slaty grey, crown darker ; beneath slate grey,
middle of abdomen and supercilium white ; on under wing a
broad white band, formed by spots on inner webs of quills (except
1st and 2nd primaries). Bill black, paler at base below. Legs
and feet light brown. Wing 1 16-122. Tarsus 30. Culmen
22-25 (HO- ^ Above olive brown, supercilium buff; below
white, tinged buff on breast and brown on flanks, each feather
tipped olive brown. Bill brown.
Breeds.— C Siberia. Occurrence in Europe casual, recorded
Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Bulgaria.
passerp:s— MuscicAPiD.^: 117
Turcliis pilaris L. Fieldfare. Fr. Grive lilornc ; Ccr.
\\';it hhoKlcrdrossel ; Ital. Toidclajj^azzina ; Swcd. IJjorktrast.
,t '^ Head, hind neck, rump, and upper tail coverts slaty
grey ; back chestnut brown, supercilium white ; beneath, throat,
breast and flanks rufous streaked black ; abdomen, under tail
coverts, wing coverts, and axillaries white. Bill (winter) horn
brown, yellowish at base below, (summer) $ yellow, 9 yellow
with brown tip. Legs and feet black. Wing $ 137-152, 9
132-147. Tarsus 30-34. Bill 15-18.
Breeds. — From north Central Europe (Galicia to Bavaria)
north to limit of forest growth, east to Urals and in Siberia.
Not in British Isles. Migrates ; occurs in winter in British
Isles and throughout Europe south from wS. Scandinavia to
Mediterranean, N. Africa (Morocco to Egypt), and in Asia
from Asia Minor to N.W. India. Rarer and more irregular in
southern parts. Occasional Madeira and Canaries.
Turdus viscivorus viscivorus L. Mistle Thrush. Fr.
Draine ; Ger. Misteldrossel ; ItaL Tordela ; Swed. Dubbel-Trast.
^ 9 Above brown with dull golden tinge on rump and
upper tail coverts ; beneath white, tinged buff and with large
black spots ; under wing coverts and axillaries white. Bill dark
brown, paler at base below. Legs and feet yellowish brown.
Winged M7-I59) ? 145-156. Tarsus 30-34. Bill 16-20. Young:
spotted and streaked with buff on upper parts.
Breeds. — British Isles, Continental Europe north to about 68°
in Norway and Russia, east into W. Siberia, south to Caucasus,
N. Italy, Sicily, Spain. Partly resident, except in colder parts
of breeding range ; occurs in winter Mediterranean countries,
Macedonia, Asia Minor, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco.
T. viscivorus deichleri Erlanger. Bill stronger and longer,
20-23 ; poller and greyer but not constantly so.
Breeds. — Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, north of Atlas.
"T. V. reiseri" Schiebel, described from winter birds in
Corsica, and "T. v. jubila^us" Zeidlitz, from S. Russia (Poland
to Caucasus) are names given to the same, a greyer, form, which
can be matched by birds from France and even England, and
apparently breeding birds from S. Spain are similar. Further
confirmation is required of this race.
118 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Turdus musicus musicus L. Song Thrush. Fi: Grive ;
Gcr. Singdrosscl ; Ital. Toido bottacio ; Swcd. Talltrast.
^ 9 Above olive brown ; centre of throat white, remainder
of underparts white with large brown spots and streaks ; a tinge
of reddish buff on chest rarely extending to throat, flanks tinged
olive ; under wing coverts and axillaries reddish buff; 5rd to 5th
primaries emarginate. Bill black brown, yellowish at base below.
Legs and feet pale brown. Wing $, 110-120, 9 105-120. Tarsus
30-34. Bill 14-16.
Breeds. — Europe north to about 68^, south to N. Spain and
Mountains of N. Italy ; in Urals south to Lower Ilek River ;
also in W. Siberia, Caucasus and N. Persia. Migratory in
north. Occurs in winter S. Europe, Asia Minor, Egypt, N.W.
Africa, Madeira, Canaries. In Britain occurs on passage and
in winter.
T. musicus clarkei Hartert. Above darker, more russet ;
beneath, the reddish buff extends over breast and generally throat
as well as flanks ; also is more heavily spotted.
Breeds. — British Isles, Holland. Resident and migratory,
occurs France and Spain in winter. Specimens occur in W.
Europe and even E. Russia which agree with this race rather
than typical form.
T. musicus helbridensis Eagle Clarke. Darker and redder
especially on head than " clarkei " ; beneath, spots more copious
and intense, flanks very dark, under wing coverts redder. Wing
(^ 115-120, 9 111-121. Tarsus 29-32. Bill 15-18.
Resident— OviX^x Hebrides.
"T. m. brehmi" Zeidlitz, Central Europe (France to Siberia) is
not considered separable from typical "musicus."
Turdus iliacus L. Redwing. Fr. Mauvis ; Ger. Wein-
drossel ; Ital. Tordo sassello ; Swed. Rodvinge-Trast.
$ 9 Above dark olive brown, supercilium buffy yellow ;
beneath white with dark streaks ; under wing coverts, axillaries,
and flanks chestnut. Bill dark brown, yellowish at base below.
Legs and feet yellowish brown. Wing 1^ 11 3- 119, ? 11 2- 121.
Tarsus 28-30. Bill 15-17.
Breeds. — N. Europe to tundras, south to Svea in Sweden ;
Iceland, Baltic Provinces south to Memel (rare), E. Russia south
PASSERES— MUSC ICAPID/E 119
to Kazan, Ufa, Orenburg; ; and in Siberia cast to Yenisei.
Migratory ; occurs in winter liritain. Continental Europe south
to Mediterranean, N.W. Africa, Madeira, Canaries, Caucasus,
and Persia.
Turdus obscurus. Gmelin.
^ Above olive brown, greyish on crown ; lores black,
supercilium and patch under eye white ; beneath, chin white,
throat slaty grey, breast and flanks pale cinnamon, abdomen and
under tail coverts white, under wing coverts and axillaries grey.
Bill brown, paler below at base. Legs and feet brown. Wing
123-130. Tarsus 31-33. Culmen 21-23 (^O- ? Crown like
back, throat white, striped grey brown at sides ; under wing
coverts tinged buff.
Breeds. — E. Siberia. Occurs as rare visitor to Europe (recorded
Holland, Germany, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Italy).
Turdus naumanni Temminck.
^ winter. Above grey brown, generally with some chestnut
spots ; rump and upper tail coverts pale chestnut, at times grey
and chestnut mixed ; beneath pale chestnut, with small black
spots on sides of throat and white tips elsewhere except centre
of abdomen and breast, which are white, tail pale chestnut,
central pair of feathers and inner webs of others grey brown.
Bill brown (in summer yellowish below). Legs and feet brown.
Wing 130-140. Tarsus 31-33. Bill 15-16. ? throat paler and
throat and breast slightly spotted. Wing about 5 m.m. shorter.
In summer back is uniform grey brown, and white tips beneath
wear off.
Breeds. — E. Siberia. Of occasional occurrence in C. and S.
Europe.
Turdus eunomus Temminck. Dusky Thrush. ("T.
fuscatus " of authors).
$ winter. Above brown black with smoky edges to feathers ;
wing coverts, outer margins and inner webs of quills and under
wing coverts chestnut ; supercilium, throat, under tail coverts and
middle of abdomen white ; breast and sides black with white
edges ; tail dark brown. Bill dark brown. Legs and feet brown.
In summer, back, breast and alxlomcn darker through wearing off
120 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
of feather edges. Wing 127-137. Tarsus 28-33. Bill 15-16. ?
Browner above, breast and sides also browner. Wing 121- 128.
A Siberian breeding species ; occasionally occurs in EurojDe ;
recorded from most countries.
Turdus ruficollis ruficollis Pallas. Red-throated
Thrush.
^ Above grey brown, supercilium reddish buff; beneath
white ; throat and breast pale chestnut as also under wings and
rectrices except central pair. Bill dark brown. Legs and feet
brown. Wing 135-141. Tarsus 31-33. Bill 15-18. ? only
traces of chestnut on throat and breast, generally buff with
small black spots ; tail as in ^ ; beneath dull white. Wing
130-135.
Breeds. — E. Siberia. Of rare occurrence in Europe (recorded
Holland, France, Germany, Baltic Provinces, Austria, Hungary,
Italy).
T. ruficollis atrigularis Temminck. Black-throated Thrush.
^ as in typical form, but black on breast (margined white in
winter), tail grey brown, under wing coverts and axillaries pale
cinnamon ; crown generally streaked black. ? resembles typical
9 , but throat more heavily striped and no chestnut on tail.
Breeds. — W. Siberia. More frequently occurs in Europe ;
reported most countries, rarer in west.
Turdus torquatus torquatus L. Ring-Ouzel. Br.
Merle a plastron ; Ger. Ringamsel ; 7^al. Merlo con petto
bianco ; Swed. Ring-Trast.
^ summer. Above sooty black ; gorget white, rest of under-
parts brown black ; quills edged whitish. Bill yellow tipped
dark brown. Legs and feet brown. Wing 140-147. Tarsus
30-34. Bill 16-19. In winter, feathers above fringed grey brown,
gorget dull white, feathers of underparts fringed dull white. 9
summer. Browner than (J, gorget duller white, most feathers
above and below retain part of winter edging. Wing 135-145.
In winter, fringes of feathers above and below broader than in
(^, gorget much less conspicuous.
Breeds. — British Isles, Norway to about 70°, Sweden, Finland
(rare). Occurs on passage through Europe, chiefly west, rare in
Russia ; winters S. Europe and N.W. Africa.
PASSRRES— MUSCICAIMD/K 121
T. torqiiatus alpestris Drchni. r{ as typical form but more white
on wing's and broader white margins on underparts at all seasons.
9 as typical form but margins of feathers much broader.
Breeds. — Mountains of C. and S. Europe, from Spain cast to
Carpatliians. Partly resident ; occurs in winter Algeria, Tunisia,
Asia Minor.
T. torquatus orientalis (Seebohm). Resembles typical fonn
as regards edgings of body feathers ; white edges to wing feathers
more extensive and purer.
Breeds. — Caucasus, N. Persia, Transcaspia. Occasionally
occurs Egypt in winter.
Turdus merula merula L. Blackbird. Fr. Merle ;
Ger. Amsel ; Ifal. Mcrlo ; S7crf\v/j'.— Balkan Peninsula, Dalmatia and Bosnia to Greece
and Crete.
P. collaris caucasica (Tschusi). Like "subalpina"' but redder
above, rump and upper tail coverts not striated, flanks as in
" collaris."
Breeds. — Caucasus and Asia Minor. Occurs in winter S.W.
Persia.
Prunella montanella (Pallas).
^ 9 Crown and face black, back dark red brown, rump and tail
olive brown ; supercilium, throat and underparts dark ochreous buff
with black bases and purple brown streaks on flanks ; a grey spot
on sides of neck. Bill blackish brown. Legs and feet flesh colour.
Wing $ 75-78, 9 70-72. Tarsus 19-21. Culmen 13-5-15 (H.).
Breeds. — Mountains of Central Asia and W. Siberia from
Urals eastwards. Occasional in Europe in Ural Mountains, and
on passage in Crimea ; has occurred Italy and Austria.
Prunella atrigularis (Brandt).
^ $ Upper parts ashy brown with dark stripes, head and
throat black, supercilium white, chest and flanks ochreous,
the latter striped brown, abdomen white. In autumn, black of
throat oliscured by ochreous tips. Bill dark horn. Legs and
feet brown. Wing ^ 72-75, 9 69-5-71.5 (H.).
Breeds. — Central Asia. Occurs E. Russia (Orenburg) on
passage and in winter.
Prunella modularis modularis (L.). Hedge-Sparrow.
Fr. .Mouchct ; Gcr. lieckcnbraunclle ; Ital. Passera scopaiola ;
Swed. Jernsparf.
140 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
(^ $ AIdovc red brown, greyer on crown, dark spots on head,
scapulars and back ; rump, upper tail coverts and vent olive
brown ; beneath grey, flanks browner with dark striations ;
2nd primary longer than 7th by at least 2-4 m.m. Bill black
brown, paler below at base. Legs and feet light brown. Wing
S ? 65-70. Tarsus 19-21. Bill 9-10.
Breeds. — Continental Europe to about 70 N. ; east to Urals,
south to N, Spain, Mountains of Italy, Corsica, Sardinia ; also
Asia Minor. Partial migrant j occurs on passage British Isles.
Rare in N.W. Africa.
P. modularis occidentalis (Hartert). Throat and breast
darker, flanks darker, striations less conspicuous ; 2nd primary
equal to or 1-2 m.m. longer than 7th. Bill stouter.
Breeds. — British Isles. Mostly resident, some migrate.
P. modularis obscura Tratz. Almost uniform deep dark
brown on crown and nape ; back darker than in " modularis,"
resembling "occidentalis," but underparts paler than latter form ;
wing as in " occidentalis " ; bill shorter.
Breeds. — N. Portugal.
" P. m. mabbotti " Harper has been described from E. Pyrenees ;
greyer than "modularis" and "occidentalis," 2nd primary equal
to 7th ; but its status is very doubtful, as is that of "occidentalis "
and "obscura," the wing distinction being not constant.
P. modularis orientalis (Sharpe). Crown less grey than in
"modularis," more uniform with back ; underparts browner with
paler margins, giving a scale-like appearance on breast. Wing
formula as in "occidentalis." Bill as in "modularis,"
Breeds. — S. Caucasus and Transcaucasia.
TROGLODYTID^.
Bill narrow, elongated; rictal bristles scanty or absent;
nostrils free, partly covered by membrane; wing short and
rounded, ist primary well developed ; plumage soft and thick.
Troglodytes.
Legs and feet strong; sexes alike; nest domed; eggs
\vhite, red spotted.
passeues-tro(;l()DV'1]1).e iii
Troglodytes troglodytes troglodytes (L.)- Wren.
Fr. Roiiclct ; dr. Zaunkoni;; ; Hal. Scriccitjlo ; Sii'cd. Garclsmyg.
^ $ Above red brown, wilh narrow dark bars on wings and
tail and also on back in some ; beneath brownish cream, barred
generally only on flanks and abdomen ; 2nd primary as long as
longest secondary. Bill dark brown above, pale horn below.
Legs and feet pale brown. Wing $ 45-50. 9 45-47- Tarsus
17-18-5. Bill 9-10.
i>Vt'tv/j.— British Isles ; Continental Europe north to about
Arctic Circle, east to Urals, south to Orenburg, Volga, and
Mediterranean. Resident except extreme north ; in S. Europe
chiefly in mountains.
T. troglodytes islandicus Hartert. Much larger and with a
stronger bill; above darker brown. Wing(^6o. Tarsus 21. Bill 11.
Resident. — Iceland.
T. troglodytes borealis Fischer. More olive brown than
"troglodytes," also somewhat larger. Wing ^ 49-55 (H.).
Tarsus 20.
Resident. — Faroe Islands.
T. troglodytes zetlandicus Hartert. Upper parts, especially
crown, darker than in "troglodytes." Bill thicker and stronger.
Wing ^ 49-53, ? 47-52. Tarsus 19-20. Bill 11- 12.
Resident. — Shetland Isles.
T. troglodytes hirtensis Seebohm. Paler than " troglodytes,"
supercilium whiter, barring both above and below heavier. Bill
thicker and stronger. Wing ^ 51-53, ? 47-52. Tarsus 18-19.
Bill 10-11.
Resident.— '^i Kilda.
T. troglodytes kabylorum Harterl. Bill longer and stronger
than in "troglodytes"; upper parts less rufous and less barring
beneath. Wing ^ 44-46, ^ 41. Tarsus 17-19. Bill lo-ii.
Resident. — N.W. Africa (Tunis to Morocco), Balearic Islands,
S. Spain (Algeciras).
T. troglodytes koenigi Schiebel. Closely resembles "kaby-
lorum" ; 2nd primary longer than secondaries; flanks usually
strongly barred.
Resident. — Corsica and .Sardinia.
U2 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
T. troglodytes hyrcanus Sarudny and Loudoun. Intermediate
between "troglodytes" and "T. t. pallidus" of C. Persia; paler
than former and more distinctly barred ; 2nd primary equal to
longest secondary.
Resident. — Caucasus, N. Persia to Talysch ; possibly also
Crimea.
CiNCLUS.
Allied to Wrens ; tail short ; bill straight with a slight
upward bend from nostrils ; nest domed ; eggs white ; frequent
Cinclus cinclus cinclus (L.). Dipper. Fr. Aguassiere ;
Ger. Wasserschwatzer ; Ital. Merlo acquaiolo ; Siued. Strom-
stare.
$ ? Above slate grey with black scale-like margins ; crown,
face, and hind neck chocolate brown ; throat and upper breast
white ; flanks and under tail coverts slaty grey ; rest of underparts
blackish brown, with a slight reddish tinge at junction with white
of breast. Bill blackish. Legs and feet brown. Wing ^ 94-98,
? 88-91. Tarsus 28-30 (H.). Bill 14-16.
Breeds. — Scandinavia to above Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland,
Russia north to 65° and east to Urals, Baltic Provinces ; also
Picos de Europa, N. Spain (Witherby). Chiefly resident ; a few
occur in winter E. Russia and Germany, very rare elsewhere,
several times in England, once in Shetland.
C. cinclus toritannicus Tschusi. Above like "cinclus" but
beneath there is a cinnamon band between the white breast and
dark abdomen. Wing ^ 87-95, ? 84-92.
Resident. — Great Britain.
C. cinclus hibernicus Hartert. Like "britannicus " but upper
parts darker, less slate grey and cinnamon band between breast
and abdomen narrower.
Reside ?it. — Ireland.
C. cinclus pyrenaicus Dresser. Like " cinclus " but paler
above, crown lighter and black margins narrower ; generally a
little chestnut on lower breast, but often not.
Re side n t. — Pyrenees.
PASSERES— HIRUNDINID.E 143
Spanish birds (C. and S. Spain) are redder on head and
have more chestnut on breast ; they do not aj^ree with either
" aquaticus '" or " meridionalis."
C. cinclus aquaticus IJechstein. Very near " britannicus"
but head is paler and margins on upper feathers narrower.
Resident. — Belgium, France (except S.E.), N. Switzerland,
Germany, Pohmd, Carpathians, Transylvanian Alps, N.
Rumania.
C. cinclus meridionalis lirehm. Close to "aquaticus"
but crown and upper parts still paler, chestnut of under-
parls occasionally brighter and more extended, but not
constant.
y?t'j/V/6V//.— S.E. France, S. Switzerland, Italy, Sicily, Austria,
Croatia, Balkan Peninsula. Has occurred on Mediterranean
Coast of Egypt.
" C. cinclus orientalis" Stresemann has been described from
Macedonia ; head and neck darker and breast lighter than
"meridionalis," but requires further confirmation.
C. cinclus sapsworthi Arrigoni. Beneath like "cinclus";
above, crown and hind neck paler and greyer even than in
"pyrenaicus." Wing ^ 88-92, 9 81-83 (H.)-
Resident— CoYs\c?i and Sardinia.
C. cinclus minor Tristram. Bill about 2 m.m. longer ;
cinnamon band brighter and redder than in " meridionalis."
Resident. — Atlas Mountains, Algeria and Morocco.
C. cinclus caucasicus Madarasz. Nearest to "aquaticus"
but brown of breast and abdomen lighter, with a tinge of
cinnamon nearest the white.
Resident. — Caucasus to N. and S.E. Persia, Asia Minor,
Cyprus.
HIRUNDINID./E.
Bill sliurt, triangular; gape very wide; tarsus very short;
wing with 9 primaries visible ; food, insects captured while
flying.
144 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
HiRUNDO.
P'eet not feathered; outer tail feather much lengthened;
nest of mud ; eggs white, red spotted or pure white.
Hirundo rustica rustica L. Swallow. Fr. Hirondelie ;
Ger. Schwalbe ; Ital. Rondine ; Swed. Ladusvala.
^ $ Above steel blue ; beneath buffy white to reddish
cream ; forehead and throat chestnut ; gorget steel blue ;
diagonal white patches on inner webs of tail feathers ; tail
much forked, outer feathers about 47 m.m. longer than next.
Bill black. Legs and feet dark brown. Wing 120-126. Tarsus
13-13. Bill 6-7.
Breeds. — All Europe (including British Isles), W. Siberia,
N.W. Africa to Sahara, Asia Minor, Caucasus and east to
Himalayas. Migrates ; occurs on passage Egypt, Malta,
Canaries. Winters C. and S. Africa, India.
H. rustica transitiva Hartert. Closely resembles "rustica"
with reddish underparts, but always darker, most marked on
under tail coverts. Intermediate between typical form and
"savignii."
Breeds. — Coast region of Palestine. Partly resident, some
migrate ; has Occurred in Egypt in winter and been reported
from Uganda at the same season.
H. rustica savignii Stephens. Underparts reddish chestnut,
almost as deep as on throat ; patches on tail feathers pale red.
Resident. — Egypt and Nubia.
Hirundo daurica rufula Temminck. Red-rumped
Swallow.
^ 9 Above steel blue, hind collar and rump pale chestnut ;
beneath reddish buff with narrow dark shaft-streaks. Bill black.
Legs and feet brown. Wing ^^ 117-126, $ ii5-i23(W.). Tarsus
13-14. Bill 5-6.
Breeds. — Greece, Cyprus, Asia Minor and east to Afghanistan ;
Morocco ; also probably in S. Spain near Tarifa, Sicily, and
S. Italy. Occurs Tunisia, W. Algeria and Egypt on passage ;
doubtful if breeds. Has occurred S. France, S. England,
Heligoland, and Fair Isle.
The typical race " H. d. daurica" is E. Siberian.
PASSEUES— IIIUUNI)INII)/K 115
Delichon.
Tail forked, but outside feather not elongated ; tarsus
and toes feathered ; eggs white.
Delichon urbica urbica (L.)- Martin. Fr. Hirondelle
do fcnctre ; Gcr. I lausschwalbe ; Ital. Balestruccio ; Swed.
Hussvala.
^ 9 Above steel blue ; rump and underparts white. Hill
black. Legs and feet feathered white. Wing ^^ 9 108-113.
Tarsus 10-12. Bill 4-5.
Breeds. — British Isles, Europe north to Finmark, east to
Mid Siberia, south to Turkestan, Caucasus and Mediterranean.
Migrates ; occurs on passage Faroes, Malta, Canaries, N.
Africa. Winters in India and S. Africa.
D. urbica meridionalis (Hartert). Smaller than "urbica."
Wing 100-106 and secondaries longer in proportion to
primaries.
Breeds. — Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco. Birds from S.
Spain (Algeciras) are chiefly referable to this race. Occurs
on passage Egypt in spring ; not common.
RiPARIA.
Feet not feathered; tail slightly forked or almost square;
nest in holes in bank or of mud in cliffs; eggs pure white,
or spotted with red.
Riparia riparia riparia (L.). Sand Martin. Fr.
Hirondelle de rivage ; Gcr. Uferschwalbe ; /Az/. Topino ; Siucd.
Backsvala.
$ 9 Above dark brown ; underparts white crossed by a
pale brown pectoral band. Legs bare, except for a tuft of short
white feathers on back of tarsus above hind toe. r>ill black.
Legs and feet dark brown. Wing ,^9 102-11F. Tarsus 10.
Bill 5-6.
Breeds. — British Isles and Continental Europe to farthest
north, cast to Urals and in Siberia to Pacific ; south to Caucasus
K
146 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
and Mediterranean ; also Asia Minor and in N. Africa (Tunisia
and Algeria); in Mediterranean Islands chiefly on passage, some
breed Sicily and Balearic Islands ; also breeds in N. America.
Winters S. Arabia, E. and S. Africa, and S. America.
R. riparia littoralis (Heuglin). Above slightly paler than
"riparia"; pectoral band narrower and paler. Smaller. Wing
90-97 (H.).
Breeds. — Egypt and Nubia. Some winter there.
R. riparia diluta (Sharpe and Wyatt). Upper parts and
pectoral band paler. Wing ^ ^ 97-106-5 (Ticehurst).
Breeds. — Afghanistan to N. Siberia. Occurs Egypt on
passage, and in winter in S.W. India.
Riparia paludicola mauritanica (Meade-Waldo).
cJ $ Somewhat resemble " R. r. riparia" but throat as
well as pectoral band pale brown. Bill and feet dark slate.
Wing $ 103-109, 9 101-108. Tarsus 10. Culmen 8-9 (H.).
Resident. — W. Morocco (Wadi Moor-bey).
The typical race " R. p. paludicola" is S. African.
Riparia rupestris (Scopoli). Crag Martin. Fr.
Hirondelle de rochers ; Ger. Felsenschwalbe ; Ital. Rondine
montana.
$ $ Above light brown ; beneath paler with reddish buff
tinge, and on upper throat fine brown spots ; tail feathers (except
outer pair) with an oval white patch on inner web. Bill black.
Legs and feet pale pinkish flesh. Wing (^ ? 124-136 (H.).
Tarsus 11-12. Bill 5-6.
Breeds. — S. Europe ; Mediterranean Coasts and Islands,
Montenegro, Albania, S. Russia, Caucasus ; and Asia east to
China. Resident except in north of breeding range ; occurs
on passage in Egypt and Algeria, and in winter India and
N.E. Africa.
Riparia obsoleta obsoleta (Cabanis).
Paler than " rupestris " and smaller ; upper throat uniform,
unspotted. Wing 1 15-122 (H.).
Breeds. — Egypt and Nubia, east to W. India. Resident.
CYPSELI— CVrSELID.i: 147
CYPSELI.
Related to Nightjars but not to Swallows, to which
they have a superficial resemblance. Humerus very
short; wing long, lO primaries; lo tail feathers; gape
very wide ; feet short and strong with strong claws.
CYPSELIDJE.
Phalanges of outer and middle toes reduced to 3.
MiCROPUS.
Toes 4, all pointing forwards for clinging; constantly
hawking insects by day ; nest in holes and crevices in cliffs,
caverns, and walls ; eggs white.
Micropus melba melba (L.). Alpine Swift. Fr.
Martinet a ventre blanc ; Ger. Alpensegler ; Ital. Rondone
di mare.
(^ 9 Above brown ; beneath white with brown breast band,
under wing and under tail coverts ; tail forked. Bill blackish.
Tarsus feathered. Feet dull yellowish brown, claws black. Wing
213-225. Tarsus 14-16. Bill 9-10. Fork of tail 22-24.
Breeds. — Mountains and Towns of S. Europe, from Pyrenees,
Alps, and Translyvania to Mediterranean and Islands, Crimea,
Caucasus; S.W. Asia east to Himalayas, S. India and Ceylon;
also N.W. Africa. Migrates ; occurs Egypt on passage ; winters
tropical Africa and S. India. Occurs exceptionally in C. Europe
to Denmark and Britain.
M. melba tuneti (Tschusi). Paler and lighter in colour.
Breeds. — Tunis to Palestine.
Micropus apus apus (L.). Swift. Fr. Martinet noir ;
Ger. Maucrscgler ; //^ and Nubia to S.W. Asia. Of occasional
occurrence Malta ; twice Sicily, once England and Heligo-
land. Migrates, but found in Egypt in winter.
C. aegyptius saharae Erianger. Redder than typical form,
more sandy ; less marked with black on upper parts ; bars on
underparts very faint.
Breeds. — Algeria and Tunisia to Egypt, west of Nile.
MEROPES.
Feet syndactylous, 3rd and 4th toes united to last
joint, 2nd and 3rd on basal joint; primaries 11, ist
very short ; rictal bristles very small ; bill long, slightly
curved ; nest in tunnels in ground ; eggs white.
MEROPID^.
Characters those of the Order.
152 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Merops.
Tail slightly rounded, middle tail feathers prolonged
beyond others.
Merops apiaster L. Bee-eater. Fj: Guepier vulgaire ;
Ger. Bienenfresser ; Ital. Gruccioiie.
$ $ Forehead white, crown, hind neck and upper back
chestnut ; lower back and scapulars brownish yellow, primaries
blue ; wing coverts and secondaries (latter black tips) cinnamon ;
beneath bluish green ; throat yellow, then a black band ; ear
coverts black ; central tail feathers exceed others by about
25 m.m. Bill black. Legs and feet greyish to reddish brown.
Iris crimson. Wing $ 144-156, ? 138-148 (W.). Tarsus 11-13.
Bill 31-35-
Breeds. — S. and S. Central Europe, north to S. France,
N. Italy, Transylvania, S. Russia, north to Moscow and
Orenburg ; Mediterranean Islands, N.W. Africa, Asia Minor
and W. Asia, east to Kashmir. Of occasional occurrence
farther north in Europe to Britain and Sweden. Migrates ;
occurs on passage Madeira, Canaries, Malta, Egypt. Winters
in Africa to Cape, and in S. Arabia.
Merops persicus persicus Pallas.
$ 9 Green, with blue tinge on upper tail coverts ; base of
bill white ; forehead and supercilium blue ; through eye a black
line ; cheeks blue mixed white ; ear coverts brown, chin yellow ;
throat and under wing coverts cinnamon ; two central tail feathers
exceed others by 50-60 m.m. in $ (in ? 40-50 m.m.). Bill black.
Legs and feet dark brown. Iris crimson. Wing $ 140-160,
$ 142-150. Tarsus 12. Bill 36-40 (H.).
Breeds. — Egypt, Mesopotamia and S.W. Asia to N.W. India ;
also Ural and Volga districts near Caspian Sea. Occurs on
passage in Palestine. Winters S. Arabia and Africa. Rare
visitor to Mediterranean countries of Europe.
M. persicus chrysocercus Cabanis and Heine. Central tail
feathers longer, 90-100 m.m. beyond others ; white on cheeks
faint or absent ; green colour of body tinged faint yellow.
Breeds. — N. Sahara of Algeria and Tunisia. Migrates ; winters
in Senegambia and Lake Tchad country.
upriMv upuriD.i: 153
Merops orientalis cleopatra Nicoll.
(^ 9 (irccn, with a sli-ht bronzy Ijrown tinL;c on head and
neck ; quills same colour with green outer weljs and black tips ;
central tail feathers 70-90 ni.m. longer than rest ; Ijlack bar on
throat, liill black. Legs and feet greyish brown. Wing 90-95.
Bill 24-26(11.).
Breeds. — Egypt. Occurs in winter south to White and Blue
Niles.
The typical race '* M. o. ovientalis" is Indian.
UPUPiE.
Bill long, slender, .slightly curved ; 3r(l and 4th toes
imited to first joint; 10 tail feathers; nest in holes
in walls or trees; eggs greenish blue to greyish olive.
UPUPID^.
Nostrils open rounded. Tail shorter than wing. Crested :
no metallic gloss in plumage.
Upupa.
Characters as in " Upupida^."
Upupa epops epops L. Hoopoe. Fr, Huppe ; Gcr.
Weidehoff; Ital. Bubbola ; Swed. Harfogcl.
$ $ Vinous isabelline ; crest cinnamon black tipped ; back,
scapulars and secondaries black with broad white bars ; primaries
and tail with a broad white band. Bill blackish, greyish at
base below. Legs and feet greyish blue. Wing 139-154.
Tarsus 22-24. Lill 43-52,
Jireeds.—':^. and C. Europe north to Holland, Belgium, France,
Germany, Poland, Russia to about 55" ; Caucasus, Canaries,
N.W. Africa ; also across W^ Asia to Himalayas ; occasionally
nests S. England ; rare Sweden and Norway. Migrates ; occurs
regularly in British Isles, chiefly spring. Winters in tropical
Africa and east to S. India. Formerly bred Denmark. Rare
visitor Iceland, Faroes, Azores ; once recorded Spitzbcrgen.
154 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
TJ. epops major Brchm. Similar to typical form, but bill longer
and stroni^er, about 6 m.m. longer; upper parts duller, more vinous.
Rcsfdenf. — Egypt, from Delta to Assouan.
CORACI^.
Bill short and strong, tip decurvcd ; lo primaries ;
tail feathers 12; nest in holes in trees or buildings;
eggs white.
CORACIID-^.
Characters as in the Order.
CORACIAS.
Bill hard, straight, narrower at base than long ; rictal
bristles few and short.
Coracias garrulus garrulus L. Roller. Fr. Rollier ;
Ger. Mandelkrahe ; Ital. Ghiandaia marina ; Sined Blakraka.
^ $ General colour light blue ; lesser wing coverts, under
surface of quills, rump and shorter upper tail coverts dark blue ;
back, scapulars and inner secondaries cinnamon. Bill dark horn
brown. Legs and feet yellowish. Wing $ 192-205, ? 183-205.
Tarsus 23-24. Bill 26-30.
Breeds. — Continental Europe from about 61'' in Norway and
Russia to Mediterranean, Caucasus, Asia Minor, and Meso-
potamia ; NAV. Africa ; rare in Urals and Denmark, irregular
in Switzerland. Rare visitor Britain, Holland, Belgium, Baltic
Provinces, Sardinia. Migrates ; occurs Egypt on passage.
Winters S. Arabia and tropical and S. Africa.
HALCYONES.
Plumage glossy and close lying; primaries 11,
1st small; tail feathers usually 12; tarsus short; feet
anisodactyl, 3 toes in front and i behind, 3rd and 4th
united for greater part of their length, 2nd and 3rd
at basal joint only ; head large, bill long and straight ;
nest in tunnels ; eggs white, rounded.
IIALCVONES— ALCEDIMD.i: 155
ALCEDINID^.
Cliaracters those of the Order.
Alcedo.
Bill compressed sideways; tail short; plumage brilliant:
food, fish and aquatic insects, caught by plunging from
a perch on bank of river or lake, or from a hovering
position.
Alcedo atthis atthis L. ("Alcedo ispida pallida" of
authors.)
(^ 9 Crown, nape, and wing coverts dull green, barred or
spotted blue ; back, rump, and upper tail coverts brilliant blue,
scapulars greener ; lores, ear coverts, and underparts reddish
chestnut ; throat and spots on neck white. Bill black, reddish
at base below. Legs and feet coral red. Wing 71-79 (H.).
Young have some blue grey feathers on breast.
Resident. — N. Africa (Morocco to Egypt) and Syria.
A. atthis ispida L. Kingfisher. F?'. Martin pccheur ; Ger.
Gemeiner Eisvogel ; Itai. Piombina ; Swed. Kungsfiskare.
(^ 9 Like "atthis" but bill stouter, underparts generally
darker and young have generally more and also bluer grey
feathers on breast. Wing 74-79. Tarsus 9-10. Bill 33-40.
Breeds. — British Isles, Europe from S. Scandinavia and about
55" in Russia (rare Denmark and Baltic Provinces) to Mediter-
ranean, Cyprus, Sicily. Chiefly resident. Occurs Corsica and
Sardinia in winter. Rare visitor Madeira.
A. atthis pallasi Reichenbach. Smaller. Wing 70-75 (H.).
Bill shorter than in "ispida." Doubtfully separable from typical
form.
Breeds. — Caucasus, Volga and Ural Rivers and in W.
Siberia ; probably also Asia Minor.
Ceryle.
Plumage l)lack and white ; bill straight, compressed
sideways ; head crested.
150 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Ceryle rudis rudis (L.)-
o Al)ove black, variegated with white ; eyebrow white ; tail
basal two-thirds white, black spotted, terminal third black with
white tips ; beneath white with a broad and a narrow black band
across breast. Bill, legs and feet black. $ has only lower narrow
band across breast. Wing ^^ 131-136. Tarsus 10-11-5. ^ill
50-62 (H.). In young breast band is greyish.
Residott. — Egypt and Asia Minor east to Persian Gulf and
south down Nile Valley, and all over Africa south of Sahara.
Occasionally occurs Volga River and in Greece.
Ceryle alcyon (L.).
^ Above grey blue, crest striped black ; beneath white with
blue grey band across breast. Wing 160 (H.). 9 Breast band
rusty red and flanks also.
An American species of rare occurrence in Europe ; reported
Ireland, Azores, Holland, and doubtful Iceland.
PICI.
Bill straight and strong ; feet strong, 2 toes in front
and 2 behind (sometimes 3 toes, i behind 2 in front) ;
affect forests or open country with old trees ; nest
in holes in trees ; eggs white.
PICID^.
Characters those of the Order.
Picus
Plumage more or less green ; tail feathers pointed and
stiff for support in climbing; 4 toes; neck thick.
Picus viridis viridis L. Green Woodpecker. Fr.
Picvert ; Go: Grunspecht ; ItaL Picchio verde ; Swed. Gron
Hackspett.
^ Above green, crown and nape grey, most feathers with
crimson tips, rump bright greenish yellow ; beneath paler green,
cheeks black, rictal stripe crimson bordered with black, under
PICl — PICID.i: 157
tail coverts barred grey, liill dark blue grey, pale below at base.
Legs and feet greenish leaden grey, 9 ^^ 6 '^ut rictal stripe
black. Wing ^ $ 165-172 (H.). liill 40-45. Young are barred
on underparts.
Residoit. — Scandinavia to near Arctic Circle, Baltic Provinces,
N. and C, Russia east to Volga River, N,E. Germany.
P. viridls virescens (Prehm). $ $ Wing shorter, 155-165.
Tarsus 28-32. Bill 35-40, also shorter.
Resident. — Central Europe, east to Pomerania and Hungary,
south to Alps and S. France, north to Holland and Belgium ;
also England and Wales, rare N. England ; very rare Scotland
and Ireland.
P. viridis pronus Hartert. Measurements as in "virescens''
but bill weaker and thinner.
Resident. — S, Switzerland, Italy,
P. viridis sharpei (Saunders). Like "viridis" but cheeks
grey, in front of eye a black patch ; crimson malar stripe not
bordered with black ; under tail coverts not barred. Wing
c? 9 155-58. Bill 35-38.
Resident. — C. and S, Spain, S. Portugal.
In N.W. Spain examples seem intermediate, always having
some trace of black round malar stripe.
P. viridis saundersi (Taczanowski). Upper parts greyer than
in typical form ; bill sometimes entirely dark. Wing 161-168 (H.).
Resident. — Caucasus.
P. viridis dofleini Stresemann, Upper parts greyer-green than
in "virescens" and underparts paler ; wing as in "virescens."
Resident. — Macedon ia, Greece.
P. viridis romaniae Stresemann. Underparts as in "dofleini,"
upper parts as in "virescens" ; wing as in latter.
Resident. — Rumania, Bukowina.
Picus vaillanti (Malherbe).
Differs from " P, viridis" as follows: (^ Crimson on crown
bordered yellow behind, cheeks grey ; rictal strii)e black in both
sexes. In ^ crown grey, only occii)Ut crimson. Wing 160-
170(11,).
AV.s/ili black. Legs and feet brownish
grey. Iris red. Wing 180-185 (H.).
Resident. — Lower Egypt.
The typical race " C. s. senegalensis" inhabits tropical Africa,
Nubia to Senegal.
STRIGES.
Birds of prey, mostly nocttirnal ; facial feathering
in the form of a disc surrotmdcd b}- a ruff with or
without ear tufts ; {qckX on small mammals, birds,
insects, fish, etc. ; e^^gs white, rounded.
STRIGID^.
Characters as in Order "Striges."
Nyctea.
Large size; uniform white or barred with dark brown:
no ear tufts ; tarsi and toes feathered ; frequent open country ;
diurnal as well as nocturnal ; nest on ground or on a rock.
Nyctea nyctea (L.). Snowy Owt,. Gcr. Schncecule ;
SiveiL liar fang.
r( Pure white, rarely without a few brown spots. Iris
yellow. ]5ill and claws blackish horn. Wing 400-425. Tarsus
50-55. \\\\\ 20-23. 9 barred with brown, larger than ^. Wing
435-452. Young like 9 hut barring broader.
Ranf^e. — Circumpolar ; breeds open country and tundras of
N. Europe, Norway to Urals ("also N. Siberia and America),
168 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Jan Maycn, Nova Zcmbla, Spilzbcrgcn, Waigatz. Wanders south
in winter to British Isles, France and Switzerland in W. Europe,
and S. Russia to Black and Caspian Seas in east ; in Asia south
to Japan and in America to north United States.
Bubo.
Large size ; long ear tufts ; tarsus and sometimes toes
feathered; chiefly nocturnal ; generally nest on rocks, some-
times in ruins or on ground, occasionally in hollow trees
or old nests.
Bubo Ibubo bubo (L.). Eagle Owl. F7: Grand due ;
Ge7'. Uhu ; Ital. Gufo reale ; Swcd. Bergaf.
^ ? Above pale rufous, thickly marked and freckled with
black ; feathers on hind neck rufous with broad black central
streaks ; beneath, breast rufous with broad black central streaks,
abdomen with close wavy bars and narrow black central
streaks, centre of throat downy white ; toes (except last joints)
feathered. Iris orange. Bill and claws black. Wing $ 430-465,
9 465-490 (H.). Tarsus about 60. Bill about 20.
Resident. — Continental Europe from about Arctic Circle south
to Pyrenees, Italy and Greece. Irregular in Denmark; occasional
visitor Britain.
B. bubo hispanus Rothschild and Hartert. Rufous colour
much paler than in typical form, Wing 440-470 (H.).
Resident. — Spain. Has occurred once in Algeria.
B. bubo ruthenus Buturlin and Zhitkow. Intermediate between
typical form and the very pale " B. bubo sibiricus" ; rufous paler
as in "hispanus" but black streaks darker and underparts whiter.
Reside?if. — S.E. Russia north to Central and Volga districts
and Orenburg ; Caucasus and Asia Minor.
B. bubo sibiricus (Schlegel and Susemihl). A pale race in
which rufous is mostly replaced by white, the long streaks on
breast are narrower and feathering of tarsus and feet is very
dense. Wing 450-515 (H.). '
Resident. — N. Ural Mountains and W. Siberia ; occurs in
winter south to Orenburg and N. Caspian district.
STRIGES— STRIOID.K 109
B. bxibo ascalaphus Savigny. A liright rufous race with no
barring on sides of head and neck and few dark longitudinal
streaks on breast ; alidomen is not streaked l)ut white barred
with red brown, never black as in "Ijubo." Wing r^ 345-375)
9 380-430 (H.).
Resident. — N. Africa (Morocco to Egypt); also Palestine and
Syria.
B. bubo desertorum Erlanger. A paler and generally more
southern race than " ascalaphus."
Rcsidoif. — N.W. Africa south of Atlas Mountains to Egypt.
Otus.
Of small size; wing under 200 m.m. ; ear tufts distinct;
partly diurnal ; nest generally in holes in trees.
Otus scops scops (L.). Scops Owl. Fr. Petit due ; Go-.
Zwergohreule ; Ital. Assiolo.
^ 9 Grey brown, finely vermiculated with dark brown
mixed with rufous and with dark brown shaft streaks ; primaries
barred white on outer wel3 ; outer webs of some scapulars rufous ;
facial disc grey, freckled and with a posterior dark brown frill ;
feathers of abdomen white finely freckled and with dark brown
shaft streaks ; ist primary between 5th and 6th, sometimes
between 4th and 5th, 2nd and 3rd generally longest. r>ill bluish
black. Tarsi feathered. Feet grey, claws pale horn. Iris yellow.
Wing 145-162. Tarsus 25-30. Bill 10.
Breeds. — From E. Canaries through N.W. Africa ; S. Europe
north to S. France, Switzerland, Italy, S. Austria, S. Hungary,
Rumania, S. Russia (especially in S.E.), Central Russia (local),
but occasionally north to Petrograd ; Asia Minor and Palestine.
Migrates ; occurs Malta and Egypt on passage, especially
spring. Winters tropical Africa. Rare visitor to C. Europe
and Britain.
O. scops pulchellus (Pallas). Generally greyer in colour with
many white spots on upper parts. Wing longer, 151- 164.
Breeds. — E. Russia (Orenburg and Ural), and S.W. Siberia.
Occurs in N.E. Africa in winter.
170 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
O. scops powelli Meinertzhagen. Intermediate between
"O. s. scops" and "(X s. cyprius" (a resident race in Cyprus);
reddish Ijrovvn of former lacking above but a lighter grey than
the latter. Wing 147-160.
Breeds. — Crete.
Asio.
Of medium size; ear tufts present, but vary in size; ear
openings very large and asymmetrical ; wings reach beyond
tail ; tarsi feathered.
Asio otus otus (L.). Long-eared Owl. Fr. Hibou
vulgaire ; Gc7\ Waldohreule ; Ital. Gufo comune ; Swed.
Hornuggla.
$ 9 Above, feathers freckled brown and white, centres
dark brown and bases pale rufous ; some wing coverts with
large white spots on outer webs ; quills rufous above, greyish
white beneath and barred with brown, at bases creamy white
unbarred ; ear tufts about 35 m.m. long, dark brown, rufous on
outer, white on inner margins; facial disc brownish buff;
beneath white mixed with rufous and with red brown central
streaks, under wing coverts white or pale rufous with broad
brown tips forming a large dark patch ; tail beneath with 6 to 7
narrow bars. Bill dark horn. Toes thinly feathered, claws dark
horn. Iris yellow. Wing 282-300. Tarsus 35-43. Bill 22-24.
Reside jtf. — British Isles ; Continental Europe to near Arctic
Circle from Norway to Russia, in Urals to S7°'S9\ Caucasus ;
east across Siberia to Pacific ; W. Asia to Palestine ; N. Tunisia,
N. Algeria (very rare), N. Morocco and Azores. Rare visitor
to Egypt, Corsica, Sardinia, Malta.
A. otus canariensis Madarasz. Darker, less rufous, also
smaller. Wing 263-275 (H.).
Resident. — Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Palma (W. Canary Islands).
Asio flammeus flammeus Pontoppidan. Short-eared
Owl. F7\ Chouette de marais ; Ger. Sumpfohreule ; Ital. Gufo
di padule ; Sived. Gorduggla.
^ 9 Above brown with broad rufous margins but no bars ;
ear tufts very short ; quills rufous with' dark brown bars ;
beneath white or reddish buff streaked black (broadly on chest) ;
STRIGES— STHKIII) i: 171
disc wliitc enrirclcd by a frill of rufous and black feathers ; quills
beneath creamy on basal portion ; apical portions of lower series
of under win^ coverts dark brown forniin<| a larL;c wing patch ;
tail beneath with only 2 to 3 bars, 5-12 ni.m. broad. liill blackish.
Toes thickly feathered, claws blackish. Iris bright yellow.
Wing ^ 300-330, ? 290-320. Tarsus 35-44. Bill 14-16.
Breeds. — England and Scotland ; Continental Europe north
to about Arctic Circle, south to Pyrenees, Italy, Austria,
Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, S. Russia ; also across Siberia.
Migrates; occurs Faroes on passage; winters in British Isles
and sometimes C. Europe, but chiefly Mediterranean countries
and N. Africa. Rare visitor to Iceland, Madeira, Azores,
Canaries.
A. flammeus leucopsis (Brehm). A paler race, in which
rufous is in many specimens replaced by white to a large extent.
A Siberian race, whose range extends to Orenburg, E. Russia.
Asio capensis tingitanus (Loche).
^ 9 Dull brown, not streaked but vermiculated witli rufous ;
wings and tail barred with rufous ; disc brownish grey with
a broad black ring round eye ; abdomen barred with white ;
tarsi feathered pale buff; toes scantily feathered ; ear tufts very
short. Bill and feet blackish. Iris dark brown with orange
inner ring. Wing 280-300 (H.).
Breeds. — N. and C. Morocco, N. Algeria. Apjiarently resident.
Of occasional occurrence S. Spain in autumn.
The typical race "A. c. capensis" is S. African.
Cryptoglaux.
Size medium ; no car tufts ; feet feathered ; nocturnal hut
also diurnal in far north ; nest in holes in trees.
Cryptoglaux funerea funerea (L.). Tengmalm'.s Owl.
Ger. Rauhfusskauz ; Sivcd. Perluggla.
^ 9 Above umljcr brown barred with white, spotted on
crown ; quills and tail feathers with rows of white spots on
each web; disc dull white' partly surrounded by white and
brown feathers ; a black patch in front of the eye ; beneath white
mottled with reddish brown, mottling very faint on al)domcn ;
172 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
tarsi and toes feathered. Bill pale yellow. Claws black. Iris
bright yellow. Wing ^ 160-170, 9 165-180. Tarsus 20-23. B)ill
from base 18-21 (W.).
Breeds. — N. and C. Europe from forest limit south to Pyrenees
and Alps, N. Balkans, C. Russia, east to Volga and Urals ; and
in Siberia. Chiefly resident. In winter occurs in plains of
C. Europe and S. Russia. Rare visitor Britain.
C. funerea caueasica (Buturlin). Smaller. Wing 157. Bill
from nostrils 11-5 (H.).
Resident — N. Caucasus.
Carinb.
Small; wing under 170 m.m. ; no ear tufts; spotted
on upper and streaked on underparts ; feed on small birds,
insects, mice, reptiles, etc. ; nest in holes in masonry, rocks,
or trees, occasionally on ground.
Carine noctua noctua (Scopoli). Little Owl. Gej-.
Steinkauz ; Fr. Chouette ; Ital. Civetta.
(J 9 Above dark brown with large white spots, smaller and
narrower on crown; quills barred white; tail barred buff;
beneath white broadly streaked with dark brown ; tarsus feathered
white ; toes covered with hairs ; 3rd and 4th primaries equal and
longest. Bill yellow, greenish at base. Feet greyish yellow.
Iris yellow. Wing 152-170. Tarsus 30-35. Bill ro-12.
Resident. — Continental Europe from Denmark to Baltic
Provinces south to Pyrenees, N. Italy, Balearic Islands, Corsica,
Sardinia, Sicily, Bosnia, Serbia, and C. Russia to about 55" N.
"C. noctua sarda" (Kleinschmidt), narrower banding on
scapulars, has been described from Sardinia but does not seem
separable.
O. noctua mira (Witherby). Upper parts darker and less
rufous brown than in "noctua" and brown streaks on underparts
darker. Wing $ 153-165, ? 156-165 (W.).
Resident. — Holland and Flanders, British Isles (introduced).
C. noctua indigena (Brehm). Brown of upper and stripes of
underparts paler and redder than in "noctua" ; buff markings on
STRIGES— STIUGID/K 173
central tail feathers almost obsolete or reduced to a few spots ;
some ^ specimens have crown streaked rather than spotted.
Resident. — Balkan Peninsula ; Greek Islands ; S. Russia to
Poltava, Orenburg and Volga Delta.
C. noctua vidalii (A. PL. Prehm). Smaller and darker than
"noctua," spots more copious, whiter and more defined; head
streaked rather than spotted.
Resident. — S. Spain (possibly all Iberian Peninsula).
C. noctua glaux (Savigny). Prown of upper parts and streaks
beneath paler than in '' noctua," more reddish to chocolate brown.
Resident. — Egypt and N.W. Africa (Morocco to Tunis, north
of Atlas).
C. noctua saharae (Kleinschmidt). A still paler desert form,
brown tending to cinnamon colour.
Resident — S. Tunis and S. Algeria south of Atlas ; Solium
(W. Egypt).
C. noctua caucasica Sarudny and Loudoun. Intermediate be-
tween ''C. n. glaux" and "bactriana " of S.W. Asia ; paler than
"glaux" and toes are feathered in winter. Wing 161-166 (H.).
Resident. — \V. and S. Caspian districts, Caucasus.
Glaucidium.
Small; wing less than 110 ni.m. ; ist primary very short;
no ear tufts ; not strictly nocturnal ; feed on lemmings, mice,
small birds, and insects.
Glaucidium passerinum passerinum (L. . Pigmy
Owl. Fr. Chcvcchette ; Ger. Sperlingskauz ; Ital. Civetta
minora ; Swed. Sparfuggla.
$ ? Above brown, with small dull buff spots ; tail barred
white ; beneath white with brown striations. Pill yellow. Tarsi
and toes feathered, claws dark Ijrown. Iris yellow. Wing
9S-107. Tarsus 16-18. Culmcn 15-16 (H.).
Resident. — Continental Euroi)e from 65'' in Norway, 68° in
Finland and N. Russia south to Mountains of Germany, E, France,
Switzerland, N. Italy and Carpathians, and in Russia to Kaluga
and Kazan Govts. ; also in Caucasus and W. Siberia. Rare
Denmark, Pelgium and France to Pyrenees.
174 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
SURNIA.
Of Hawk-like habits ; mostly diurnal ; tail long and
graduated ; tarsus and toes feathered ; no ear tufts ; nest
in holes in trees.
Surnia Ulula ulula (L.). Hawk Owl. Ger. Sperbereule ;
Swed. Hokuggla.
$ $ Above umber (blackish on hind neck), spotted on
crown, and irregularly barred on upper parts with white ;
scapulars very white ; quills with white spots on margins of both
webs ; tail with 7 or 8 white bars ; beneath white barred with
dark brown ; disc dull white, chin dark brown ; a black band
behind ear coverts extending down sides of neck ; legs and toes
thickly feathered. Bill light yellow. Soles yellow. Iris bright
yellow. Wing 231-243 (H.). Tarsus 20-30. Bill 14-15.
Resident. — Norway, N. Sweden, Lapland, Finland, and
Russia from about 55° to 68° N. In winter moves south as far
as S. Urals and E. Germany ; occasionally to Austria and
Hungary ; rare in W. Europe, has occurred several times in
Britain.
S. ulula pallasi Buturlin. Brown colour paler throughout.
A Siberian race ; occurs at Orenburg in winter.
S. ulula caparoch (Miiller). Bars on underparts broader and
often very rufous, crown feathers with much less white.
An American form ; has occurred four times in Britain.
Strix.
Legs and toes feathered ] no ear tufts ; ear openings large
and asymmetrical (right larger than left), and with a large
operculum.
Strix nebulosa lapponica Thunberg. Lapland Owl.
Swed. Lappuggla.
^ $ Above white, mottled and freckled with brown (which
predominates), scapulars whiter ; facial disc prominent, grey
barred brown, eye partly surrounded by black ; beneath white
broadly streaked with brown, middle of chin and throat black.
STRKJES— STUKIID.K 175
Bill horn yellow. Iris light yellow. Wing 440-462. Tarsus
about 60. Culnien 38-42. Tail 310-330 (H.).
Residcnl. — N. Norway, Lapland south to about 67 , N. Russia
south to about 52", also W. Siberia. Moves south in small
numbers in winter as far as Orenburg and E. Prussia.
The typical form " S. n. nebulosa " is American.
Strix uralensis iiralensis Pallas. Ural Owl.
(5 ? General colour white broadly striated with dark brown ;
disc grey, ruff mottled brown and white, liill deep yellowish.
Iris dark brown. Wing ^ $ 350-395- Tail 280-320 (H.).
Resident. — Scandinavia (rare in Lapland and Finland), N.
Russia south to Volga, Simbirsk, Kazan and Urals (also W.
Siberia), Baltic Provinces, E. Prussia, south to Carpathians,
Transylvania, and Mountains of Bosnia and Albania. In winter
occurs Orenburg ; rare Germany and N. Italy. A melanistic
form, very dark brown throughout with black streaks, occurs in
E. Alps, Carinthia and Bosnia.
Strix aluco aluco L. Tawny Owl. Fr, Chat-huant ;
Ger. Waldkauz ; Ital. Allocco ; Swed. Kattuggla.
^ ^ " Grey form." Above white, mottled, freckled, and
streaked with dark brown ; outer webs of scapulars and some
wing coverts white tinged with rufous ; beneath white, striated
and barred with brown ; facial disc grey, ruff mottled brown
and white. Bill pale horn, tip yellow. Iris dark brown. Wing
^ 252-290, $ 263-305. Tarsus 42-45. Bill 16-17. A rufous
form also occurs, most often in northern countries ; in many
the colour is almost chestnut. There is also a melanistic form,
as in "uralensis"; this has occurred in Hungary, Turkey, and
Caucasus; it has been described as " S. wilkowskii."
Resident. — British Isles ; Continental Europe (except Lapland
and Finland) from 65' in Scandinavia and 61'' in N. Russia south
to Mediterranean and Caucasus, east to W. Siberia ; also Asia
Minor and Palestine. In winter occurs Morocco ; rare Egypt.
S. aluco mauritanica (W'ilhcrby). Resembles grey form of
"aluco" but darker above and banding more prominent and
broader. Wing 273-296 (IL).
Resident. — N. Morocco, N. Algeria, N. Tunisia.
176 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Plammea.
Yellow, grey and white Owls ; no ear tufts ; nocturnal,
partial to old buildings ; nest in buildings, hollow trees
or cliffs.
Plammea alba alba (Scopoli). Barn Owl. Ft: Effraye ;
Gcr. Schleiereule ; Ital. Barbagianni ; Swcd. Tornuggla.
$ 9 Above rufous yellow, vermiculated grey and spotted
with dark grey and white ; disc white, a chestnut spot in front
of eye, frill white or ochreous ; beneath white with or without a
few black spots and sometimes with rufous tinge on breast.
Bill ivory white. Tarsus covered with short feathers, toes with
bristles. Iris black. Wing 260-303. Tarsus 50-58. Bill 22-25.
Residc7it, — W. Europe from British Isles through W. France
to Portugal and Spain ; Italy, Albania, to Cyprus and Meso-
potamia ; also N. Africa (jMorocco to Egypt) ; W. Canary
Islands.
P. alba guttata (Brehm). Above, feathers dark grey almost
to base (therefore little rufous yellow shows), with small black
drop-like marks and white tips ; disc vinous to white, a black
spot in front of eye, ruff brownish rufous with black tips, sides
of head and neck and underparts rufous, last spotted throughout
with small black spots ; occasional birds are indistinguishable
from "alba."
Resident. — S. Sweden, Denmark, Baltic Provinces, and C.
Europe south of Baltic to Alps, Austria, Hungary, and S.W.
Russia north to Tula Govt. Occurs in Rumania in winter ;
occasional in Britain.
Birds from E. France are intermediate between "alba" and
" guttata."
P. alba ernesti (Kleinschmidt). Above bright yellowish
rufous ; beneath satin white with a very few spots on abdomen.
Resident. — Sardinia and Corsica.
P. alba schmitzi (Hartert). Grey above as in "guttata" but
paler and bases of feathers rufous ; beneath white tinged rufous
with larger spots ; a very distinct red brown spot in front of eye.
Resident. — Madeira.
A('("iri'l"l{KS— FALCONID.I. 177
F, alba gracilirostris (llartert). Bill and legs much
more slender; spots smaller than in "schmitzi." Wing 255-
265 (H.).
Residetit. — E. Canaries (Fuerteventura and Lanzarote).
ACCIPITRES.
Diurnal birds of prey; bill hooked, sharp pointed;
claws strong ; eggs spotted red, sometimes without
spots.
PALCONID^.
Characters as in genus. Nostrils small and rounded or
slit-like.
Falco.
Sharp tooth on upper mandible and corresponding notch
in lower mandible; nostrils round, with tubercle in middle;
of powerful flight and very bold, capturing prey on wing ;
nest on trees, rocks, or ground, nests either self-made or
appropriated; eggs variable but usually blotched and marked
with deep orange rufous or reddish brown on a dull white,
reddish white, or buff ground. $ larger than ,^ .
Palco peregrinus peregrinus 1 unstall. Peregrine
Falcon. Fr. Faucon pelerin ; Ger. WanderAdke ; Ital. Falcone ;
Swcd. Pilgrimsfalk.
^ Above blue slate with obscure dark bars, sooty black on
nape, sides of head, and rictal stripe (which is broad and short) ;
a narrow tongue of white separates rictal stripe from black of
sides of head ; beneath buffy white tinged more or less reddish,
chest uniform or with long drop-like streaks, rest of underparts
barred or spotted dark brown. Bill slate blue with black tip.
Cere yellow. Tarsus half feathered. Legs and feet yellow,
claws black. Iris hazel. Wing J 300-330, 9 350-380. Tarsus
,^ 40-45, 9 49-54. Bill ^ 19-20, 9 23-26. ? Larger, darker
above, and more banded below. Young : head and neck browner,
crown and nape marked with dull and rufous white ; upper parts
178 BIRDS OF EtmOPE AND NORTH AFRICA
dark brown with paler margins ; beneath reddish buff with long
brown streaks ; cere, legs and feet bluish.
Breeds. — British Isles; Continental Europe from Arctic Islands
(Nova Zembla, Jan Mayen, Waigatz) south to Pyrenees, N. Spain,
N. Italy, Balkans, and east to Urals. Chiefly resident, but many
wander in winter, then occurring Sardinia, Spain, Tunisia, Egypt.
Rare visitor Canaries and Faroes.
P. peregrinus calidus Latham. Rictal stripe narrow and
tongue of white behind it broader and reaches nearer to eye ;
head and bill appear smaller.
An Asiatic race which breeds in N.E. Russia, Petchora and
Samara districts ; occasional in winter west to Germany, Albania
and Italy ; more abundant S.E. Europe and Egypt.
F. peregrinus brookei Sharpe. Smaller. Wing ^ 280-300,
$ 320-340 (H.). In some a more or less rufous collar on hind
neck ; underparts more rufous and more heavily barred.
Breeds. — S. Spain, Morocco (Tangier), Balearic Islands,
Liguria, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Malta, Greece, Caucasus and
Asia Minor to Palestine. Resident.
P. peregrinus pelegrinoides Temminck. Barbary Falcon.
^ much smaller than $ "peregrinus" and with dark bars
generally more distinct ; more rufous on crown and hind neck
and underparts redder ; breast and even abdomen without drop-
like markings or only narrow shaft streaks. Wing 273-293.
$ darker above and more spotted below. Wing 315-332 (H.).
Breeds. — N. Africa, Morocco to Egypt, Sahara, Canary Islands;
occurs Soudan and Blue Nile in winter.
P. peregrinus anatum Bonaparte. ^ 9 Rictal stripe broader
than in "peregrinus" and often joined to ear coverts ; underparts
lightly marked and often powdered grey ; difficult to distinguish
from adult "peregrinus." Young are much darker, both above
and below than young "peregrinus.'^
A N. American race ; has twice occurred in England.
Palco biarmicus tanypterus Schlegel. Banner Falcon.
(^ Crown and hind neck dark vinous buff with narrow
streaks ; an indistinct dark stripe over and behind eye ; slight
rictal stripe black ; above grey or grey brown with paler or
ACCIPITUES— FAL(()MD.1^: 179
rufous bars ; primaries with complete reddish white bars on
inner webs ; beneath buff, chest with dark shaft stripes, rest of
underparts witli large black spots ; tail barred and tipped reddish
buff. Cere, naked patch round eye, legs and feet yellow. Bill
bluish with yellow base and black tip. Iris dark brown. Wing
c^ 314-325, $ 355-373 (H.). 9 generally darker above. Young:
above dark grey brown with or without rufous margins, generally
browner on crown and nape ; tail with reddish buff bars or spots
on inner or both webs of all feathers except central pair; beneath
buff streaked with long hastate brown marks, or brown with buff
margins ; some have much chestnut on under wing coverts and
axillaries.
Resident. — Egypt and Nubia to Persian Gulf.
P. biarmicus erlangeri. Smaller and not so dark above.
Wing $ 308-324, ? 330-359 (H.). Tarsus 45-52. Bill 18-19.
Resident. — Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, specially south slopes of
Atlas and deserts to south ; local and rare in S. Spain.
P. biarmicus feldeggi Schlegel.
^ Crown and nape vinous buff broadly streaked and there-
fore much darker than in " erlangeri " ; above dark brown barred
greyish buff; rictal stripe narrow ; beneath white generally tinged
buff, chin pure white, breast and centre of abdomen with dark
brown heart-shaped drops, flanks and thighs barred dark brown ;
black bars on quills reaching to inner margin ; darker generally
and more uniformly streaked than " tanypterus." Wing ^ 308-
327, ? 345-357? one 373 (H.). Young : above dark brown,
spotted buff on centre of each web ; central tail feathers
unbarred ; underparts broadly striated.
Breeds.—S. and C. Italy, rare in north, Herzegovina, Albania
and Greece to Bulgaria. Chiefly resident.
The typical race " F. b. biarmicus" is S. African. All Lanners
have ist primary abruptly eniarginated on inner web before the
tip and the 2nd narrowed at tip ; this is sometimes indistinct in
young.
Palco cherrug cherrug (.ray. Saker Falcon.
^ Above brown with reddish buff margins, crown and nape
white, generally with rufous buff tinge and streaked dark brown ;
quills white on inner web, with irregular and incomplete dark bars
ISO BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH\\FRICA
not reaching inner margin ; tail with white or rufous spots on
both webs ; beneath white sparsely spotted on breast and more
boldly on abdomen and flanks. $ more boldly spotted on
underparts. Wing (^ 350-372, $ 390-420. Tarsus 50-55. Bill
from cere, ^ 20-22, $ 24-25-5(11.). Young closely resemble ?.
Breeds. — European plains from Danube near Vienna, east
through Bulgaria, Rumania, S. Russia, to Turkestan, S.W. Siberia
and S.W. Asia ; in Russia north to about 55°. Partly migratory ;
occurs in winter in Egypt, Abyssinia, and India ; also S. Italy
and occasionally farther west in Europe.
Palco rusticolus rusticolus L. Jer-Falcon. Ger.
Gerfalke ; Sivcd. Jagtfalk.
$ $ Above slaty brown with pale grey bars, bluish slate
on rump, upper tail coverts and tail, which also are barred grey ;
hind neck generally with much white ; beneath white with dark
drop-like streaks ; tail and flanks barred slaty brown ; 4th
primary shorter than ist. Bill bluish horn, yellowish at base.
Cere, legs and feet yellow. ^ Wing 350-372. Tarsus 50-61.
Bill from cere 23-24. $ Wing 385-402. Bill from cere
25-27 (W.). Young : above brown with buff" margins, not
barred; tail barred dull buff"; beneath white boldly streaked
dark brown ; cere, legs and feet grey.
Resitient. — Norway, Sweden, Lapland, N. Russia. Occasional
in winter to south as far as Belgium and Germany ; very rare
in Britain or farther south in Europe.
P. rusticolus candicans Gmelin. Greenland Falcon.
Very variable irrespective of age ; one form much the same
as typical " rusticolus " but larger. There is also a white form :
above white with irregular long heavy dark drop-like spots ;
quills pure white on inner web, irregularly barred on outer ;
tail pure white ; beneath white with a few long black marks.
Wing $ 370-400, $ 400-435. Tarsus 0 58-60, 9 65-70. Bill
$ 20-23, $ 26-27.
Resident. — Greenland, Arctic America to Alaska, and N.
Siberia. Casual in W. Europe. Recorded Iceland, Faroes,
British Isles, Scandinavia, Belgium, W. Germany, France.
P. rusticolus islandus Briinnich. Iceland Falcon. Very
similar to "rusticolus'^ but crown and nape whiter and bars
ACCTPITRRS— FAT.rONTD.T: 181
above paler ^^rey ; beneath, spots and streaks finer ; indistinguish-
able from dark Tircenland birds, but no white form. Wing (^
366-3S0, 9 4 '0-430- Tarsus 57-6<;. Hill from cere, (^ 23-27,
9 26-29 (W.).
Resident. — Iceland ; wanders occasionally south to N.W.
Europe. Recorded Faroes, British Isles, France, Switzerland,
Holland, Austria.
Falco eleonorae Gene. Eleonora's f\\LCON.
Has two phases, dark and light.
^ 9 Dark form : dark slate colour, tinged brown, both above
and below. Light form : resembles a Hobby ; above slate
colour ; beneath reddish buff striated dark brown, becommg
darker and more cinnamon on thighs, vent, and under tail
coverts ; throat sometimes white. Bill greyish blue horn, black
at tip. Legs and feet sulphur-yellow. Iris deep brown. Wing
i 310-323, 9 326-338. Tarsus 36. Bill 16. Young: upper parts
dull black with broad rufous margins ; beneath rufous buff,
striated, but thighs, etc., not darker.
Breeds. — Cliffs of Greece and Cyclades, Cyprus, Sicily,
Sardinia, Corsica, Balearic Islands, S. Spain, Canaries (Fuerte-
ventura and Lanzarote), Morocco (W. Coast). Partially
migratory ; occurs in winter south as far as Madagascar. Is
a late breeder ; fresh eggs found in late July or early in August.
Falco concolor Temminck.
$ 9 Grey throughout, except chin which is buff. Cere and
legs yellow. Wing 9 2S0.
An African species, resident in sniall numbers in Lower and
Upper Egypt.
Falco subbuteo subbuteo L. Hobby. Fr. Hobcreau ;
Ger. Lerchenfalke ; lt(d. Lodolaia ; Swed. Liirkfalk.
^ 9 Above slate grey, darker on head, some white and
rufous on hind neck ; tail rounded, central pair feathers longest
and uniform, others barred rufous ; rictal stripe black ; beneath
white, sometimes reddish buff, broadly striated black, uniform
chestnut on abdomen, thighs, vent, and under tail coverts ; 2nd
primary longest, ist between 2nd and 3rd. liill bluish horn, tip
black. Legs, feet, and cere yellow, his dark brown. Wing
182 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
^ 252-266, 9 261-275. Tarsus 34-38. Bill 14-15. Young:
above, feathers with narrow dull rufous or reddish grey margins ;
beneath as in adult, but abdomen, etc., buff not chestnut.
Breeds. — England and Scotland ; Continental Europe from
about 65° N. south to Mediterranean and Islands (chiefly on
passage in Mediterranean basin but some winter as well as
breed) ; Madeira, Caucasus, Urals to C. Asia. Migrates ; occurs
N. Africa on passage, and in winter tropical and S. Africa and
Asia, east to India.
P. subbuteo jugurtha Hartert and Neumann. Upper parts
paler, abdomen, thighs, etc., paler chestnut.
Breeds. — Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia.
Palco columbarius aesalon Tunstall. Merlin. Fr.
Faucon emerillon ; Gcr. Merlinfaike ; Hal. Smeriglio ; Swed.
Stenfalk.
^ Above slate colour with black shaft streaks, rufous on
hind neck ; tail barred black, tip white with a broad apical black
band ; beneath rufous buff with narrow dark streaks, thighs
striated ; quills black barred white on inner webs ; 2nd and 3rd
primaries longest, ist about equal to 4th. Bill bluish horn, tip
black, base below yellow. Cere yellow. Legs and feet pale
yellow. Iris dark brown. Wing $ 200-210, ? 210-231. Tarsus
35-38. Bill 11-13. 9 Above brown tinged grey, with black
shaft streaks, sometimes with rufous bars ; underparts reddish
buff with broad brown striations ; quills barred reddish ; under
wing coverts, axillaries, and flanks chestnut brown with large
white spots. Young very similar to 9-
B7'eeds. — British Isles, Faroes, Iceland, Continental Europe
north of Baltic, N. Russia to about 68°, Swiss Mountains, W.
Siberia. Migrates ; occurs on passage in Urals and at Oren-
burg, also throughout S. Europe and in winter in Egypt, Palestine,
N.W. Africa, but many winter in S. Europe and some as far north
as British Isles.
P. columbarius pallidus (Suschkin). ^ Above pale ashy
blue, ? paler, more rufous above than 9 " ^salon."
Breeds. — Ural Valleys and Kirghiz Steppes ; occurs N.W.
India in winter.
The typical race " F. columbarius columbarius " is American.
ArnPFTRES - FAI.CONII) 1, 183
Falco vespertinus vespertinus L. Red- tooted
Fai.C(jn, Fr. Faucon Kobe/. ; Cirr. Al)cn(lfalk ; Ifal. Falco cuculo.
(5 Above slate colour ; tail uniform ; primaries with iar^^^e
white spots on inner web ; beneath slaty ^rey, abdomen, thighs,
and under tail coverts rusty red ; 2nd primary lonj^'^est ; ist only
sharply emarginate towards point on inner web. Bill bright
orange, tip dark bluish. Round eye, cere, legs and feet orange.
Iris dark brown. Wing ^ 230-260, 9 230-253. Tarsus 28-30
(W.). Rill 11-12. 9 Upper parts pale slate with dark bars;
crown, nape, and rictal stripe rufous ; patch under eye black ;
below, rusty buff on throat and rusty red on rest of underparts ;
tail ashy grey barred black. Bill blue grey, yellow at base.
Young : crown grey tinged rufous and with black shaft streaks ;
upper parts grey brown with dark bars and whitish or reddish
buff margins ; beneath white or yellow buff striated brown ; tail
reddish grey with black bars. Bill as in adult ?.
B7-ccds. — E. Europe from Balkan Peninsula through Hungary,
north to Poland, all Russia to far north (Archangel), and in W.
Siberia. Irregularly occurs farther west in Europe, rare in
I'ritish Isles. Migrates ; occurs on passage in Egypt and E.
Mediterranean, occasionally also in Tunis, Algeria, and rarely in
Morocco. Winters in Africa.
Falco naumanni naumanni Fleischer. Lesser
Kestrel. Fr. Faucon cresserine ; Gcr. Rtitelfalk ; Ifal. Falco
grillaio,
^j Above vinaceous chestnut, unspotted ; head, neck, rump,
upper tail coverts, tail (black tipped), outer wing coverts and
secondaries slate blue ; greater wing coverts chestnut ; beneath
reddish buff usually with black spots ; ist and 3rd primaries
a])out equal in length, 2nd longest and emarginate outer web,
1st notched on inner web near tip. Bill dark blue grey, base
orange and tip blue black. Cere dark yellow. Eyelid dull yellow.
Legs and feet yellow, claws paler than in " tinnunculus," usually
white but sometimes black. 9 Above rusty red, striped dark on
head and neck and barred on back, tail with about twelve bars,
with black subterminal band and buff tips ; beneath rusty buff
with dark brown spots. Wing ^ 220-246, 9 230-24S. Tarsus
30-32. P.ill 1 1-12.
184 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
B?-eeds. — From Poland south through Austria and Hungar)^ to
Greece ; Italy, especially south, Sardinia, Sicily, Spain, N.W.
Africa, Steppes of S. Russia north to Orenburg, Caucasus and
in W. Asia. Migrates ; occurs in Egypt chiefly on passage, a few
breed ; winters in tropical and S. Africa ; rarely occurs in N.W.
Europe, including British Isles.
P. naumanni pekinensis Swinhoe. $ Greater and part of
lesser wing coverts grey with rufous margins.
Eastern Asiatic race ; winters in India and E. and S. Africa ;
occurs in Egypt on spring passage.
Palco tinnunculus tinnunculus L. Kestrel. Fr.
Faucon cresserelle; Ger. Turmfalk; Ital. Gheppio; Sived. Tornfalk.
$ Above vinaceous chestnut with triangular black spots,
crown and nape grey with black shaft streaks, upper tail coverts
and tail grey, latter tipped white and with a black subterminal
band ; beneath deep reddish buff with large dark spots except on
abdomen and under tail coverts ; ist and 2nd primaries notched
on inner web at tip, ist shorter than 3rd. Bill blue horn with
black tip. Cere pale yellow. Legs and feet yellow, claws black.
Iris dark brown. ? resembles 9 of "naumanni" but larger.
Wing (^ 230-248, $ 250-265. Tarsus 39-41. Bill 13-14. Young:
like $ , but paler.
Breeds. — Europe, including British Isles, from about 68° in
Scandinavia and 61° in Russia to Mediterranean ; N.W. Africa ;
also in W. Asia. Migratory in north ; occurs Egypt on
passage ; in winter ranges to tropical Africa, India, and China.
Breeding birds from N.W. Africa are much more brick red
on upper parts approaching Canary Island races, but measure-
ments are as in typical form, which certainly occurs there in
winter.
P. tinnunculus rupicolaeformis Brehm. $ Underparts
much darker, approaching the very dark race from tropical Africa
" F. tinnunculus carlo." 9 Above darker and redder than ?
"tinnunculus."
Resident. — Egypt, Nubia, and Palestine.
P. tinnunculus canariensis Koenig. Smaller and darker than
" tinnunculus " ; in $ head darker grey with broader streaks ;
upper parts more brick red. Wing $ 215-226, 9 226-240(1!.).,
ArriPITRES— A(,)L ILID.E 185
Resident. — West Canary Islands (Tcncrifc, C.ran Canarin,
Ilieno, Palma, (iomera) and IMadcira.
P. tinnunculus dacotiae Hartert. ^ I'aler brick red than in
"canariensis," spots on underparts larger than in "tinnunculus."'
$ lighter coloured than 9 " canariensis." Wing ^ 214-225,
9 225-250 (H.).
Resident. — E. Canary Islands (Fuertcventura, Lanzarote,
Allegranza).
AQUILID^.
Includes Eagles, Buzzards, Harriers, Hawks, Vultures, and
Osprey.
Nostrils slit-like, ear-shaped or rounded with a visible
septum. Cere flat and sharply separated from forehead.
Aquila.
Tarsus feathered; tail rounded; of large size and heavy
but powerful flight, capturing prey by pouncing on it, rarely
taken on wing; nest of branches on cliffs, trees, or on
ground; eggs variable, bluish white unspotted or blotched
and marked with violet grey and rich dark red.
Aquila chrysaetus chrysaetus (L.). Golden Eagle.
Fr. Aigle dore ; Ger. Steinadler ; Ital. Aquila realc ; Siued.
Kungsorn.
(^ 9 fully adult. Above brown with some pale margins,
crown, nape and hind neck hackles rufous buff; tail brown with
irregular grey bars or patches ; beneath chocolate brown ; tarsi
feathered reddish brown. Younger birds arc darker throughout,
neck hackles more colour of back and with buff tips ; tail, except
tip, white, and more white feathers showing on underparts ; tarsi
feathered white, or white with brown markings. Dill blackish
horn, lighter at base; nostrils oblong. Cere, legs and feet yellow,
claws black horn. Iris varies, yellowish to hazel brown. Wing
c^ 610-650, 9 ^^50-705. Tarsus 96-1 15. 1511135-46. Chord of hind
claw, 9 44-
Resident. — Scotland ; Continental Europe to Pyrenees and
Mediterranean Islands, vS. Russia, Caucasus ; and in W. Asia.
186 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
A. chrysaetus occidentalis Olphc-Galliard. Darker coloured,
crown and nape less tawny ; tarsal feathering- brown. Wing
$ 580-600, ? 615-680 (H.).
Resident. — Spain, Morocco, Algeria,Tunis, Tripoli.
Aquila heliaca heliaca Savigny. Imperial Eagle.
Gc7'. Kaiseradler.
$ ? adult. Claws and feet much smaller than in "chrysaetus,"
$ chord hind claw 31. Crown and hind neck paler (almost
white in old examples, forecrown generally dark brown) than
in Golden Eagle ; some white feathers on scapulars ; tail grey
brown with dark bars and tips, central pair more buff; under-
parts chocolate brown. Bill bluish black, pale horn at base ;
nostrils ear-shaped. Cere, legs and feet yellow. Iris in young
slate grey, in adults pale yellow with nut - brown markings.
Wing $ 570-610, 9 610-615. Tarsus 90-110. Bill from cere,
42-47 (H.). Young : mottled all shades of brown, buff or black,
crown always ochreous or pale rufous brown.
Breeds. — S.E. Europe, Hungary to Balkans, and S. Russia
from Novgorod and Orenburg to Caucasus ; also Asia to Punjaub.
Migratory only in north of its range ; occurs in Egypt and Arabia
in winter ; rare in N. and W. Europe.
A. heliaca adalberti Brehm. ^ $ fully adult. Upper parts
chocolate brown with tawny tips, forecrown darker ; lesser wing
coverts white, but only occasionally white feathers on scapulars.
Young : above mottled brown, sandy, and clay colour, more
or less rufous ; paler on crown and hind neck than young
"heliaca"; beneath yellowish to reddish buff.
Resident. — C. and S. Spain, also reported from Algeria and
Morocco.
Aquila rapax belisarius (Levaillant).
$ 9 Light brown, mottled with darker feathers ; primaries
black ; tail faintly barred grey ; nostril, long, ear-shaped, vertical.
Bill horn blue. Cere, legs and feet yellow. Iris brown. Wing
(? 530-550* ? 540-580 (H.).
Resident. — Morocco, N. Algeria, N. Tunis ; has occurred rarely
in Spain, Sardinia and Italy.
The typical race "A. rapax rapax" is Central and South
African.
ACCIPITRES-AQUriJD.'E 187
Aquila nipalensis orientalis Cal)anis.
,{ (^ adult. Dark brown (occasionally rufous on nape or
entire crown) ; tail faintly barred grey; nostrils long, vertical, ear-
shaped. An intermediate plumage is lighter brown generally
with some white on wing coverts and upper tail coverts, liill
and claws horn black. Cere, angle of mouth, legs and feet
yellow. Iris brown. AVing $ 520-570, ? 580-615 (H.). Tarsus
$ go. Bill (^ 40. Young : brown, much mixed with rufous
on scapulars, secondaries, lesser and median wing coverts,
upper tail coverts and underparts including under wing.
Breeds. — Danube Delta, S. Russia north to Kiev and Volga
mouth, Caucasus and S.W. Asia ; occurs in winter in E. Africa.
The typical race "A. n. nipalensis" is Asiatic.
Aquila clanga Pallas. Spotted Eagle. Fr. Aigle criard ;
Ge?: Cirosser Schreiadler ; Ital. Aquila anatraia maggiore.
$ $ adult. Dark brown, paler on head, with purple gloss on
back, upper parts often with much white; nostrils round; 7th
primary not over 60 m.m. shorter than longest and outer web
markedly emarginated. Bill horn black, bluish towards cere.
Cere, legs and feet yellow. Iris brown. Wing ^ 490-530, 9 500-
550 (W.). Tarsus 85-100. Pill 43-47. Young: above dark
brown, paler and redder on head with dark buff apical drop-like
spots on back and large white or buff spots on wings and
scapulars ; beneath dark brown with broad central stripes of
fulvous. In some the spots are more profuse above, and the
underparts unspotted red brown; in another variation ("A.
fulvescens") the upper parts are very white, tinged or mixed with
reddish buff and the underparts whitish or deep reddish buff.
B?rcds. — From Macedonia and Croatia north through Hungary
and Poland to Livonia, Russia to 60'' N. and east through
Siberia. Rare in Europe to west of breeding range, at least
six times in Britain. Partly migratory ; occurs Egypt and S. Asia
in winter.
Aquila pomarina pomarina Brehm. Lesser Spotted
Eagle. Fr. Aigle tachetc ; Gcr. Kleiner Schreiadler ; Ifal. Aquila
anatraia minore.
$ $ adult. Brown, paler on wings and head and paler
altogether than "clanga"; bill also weaker; nostrils round;
188 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
7tli jirimary more than 60 m.m. shorter than longest, outer web
slightly cmarginate. Iris dark yellow with fine brown points.
Bill bluish black. Cere, legs and feet yellow. Wing ^ 455-490,
? 460-510. Tarsus 90-100. Rill $ 27-33, ? 29-34 (W.). Young:
above dark brown, with purple gloss, paler on lesser wing coverts,
feathers with small or in some large apical spots of white or
buff, the feathers of head with fulvous tips, and on nape often a
large fulvous patch ; beneath dark brown with fulvous or buff
central streaks.
Breeds. — From Baltic Provinces and N. Germany through
Poland and W. Russia, Austria and Hungary to Balkans and
Greece ; also in Caucasus and Asia Minor. Migrates ; rarely
visits W. Europe ; occurs in winter in S.E. Russia, parts of
S.E. Europe, and also B.E. Africa and Soudan.
HiERABTUS.
Nostrils long and oval ; legs very long ; tarsi feathered to
toes which are large and stout ; claws very large, strong, and
curved; of powerful flight, hunting like Falcons and Hawks;
nest in cliffs or trees ; eggs two, bluish white, slightly marked
rufous.
Hieraetus fasciatus fasciatus (Vieillot). Bonelli's
Eagle. F?-. Aigle a queue barree ; Ge7'. Habichtsadler ; Ital.
Aquila del Bonelli.
$ ? Above brown, feathers white at bases ; beneath white
with narrow dark shaft streaks broadening to a long drop ; under
wing coverts black and white ; tail dull grey with faint black
bars and terminal band. Bill blue grey, tip darker. Toes
yellowish. Iris orange to dark yellow. Wing ^ 460-490,
? 500-550. Tarsus 92-97. Bill 27-35. Middle toe with claw
65. Young : paler brown, reddish on head ; beneath (including
under wing coverts and axillaries) reddish buff to red brown with
black shaft streaks except on abdomen and under tail coverts and
generally thighs.
Resident.— S. France, Spain, Portugal, N.W. Africa, Sardinia,
Corsica, Sicily, Greece to Rumania, Egypt and Nubia, Asia
Minor and S.W. Asia to India and China.
AcripriiJKS— A(^riLii) i: 189
Hieraetus pennatus (Gmclin) Bootkd Eagle. Fr.
Aii^lc buUcc ; Cicr. Z\vcrg;idler ; Itdl. Aquila minore.
(^ 9 2 plumages, (i) Above mottled dark and light brown,
paler and redder on head, shaft streaks darker, in some a patch
of white on scapulars ; beneath white, some very fulvous, with
darker shaft streaks. (2) All dark brown, mottled with pale brown
on upper parts, secondaries pale ; dark shaft streaks on under
parts. Bill bluish horn, tip black. Cere and feet yellow. Iris
yellowish, in young brown. Wing ^ 355-380, 9 390-415. Tarsus
58-62. Bill 22-27.
Breeds. — Mountains and forests of C. and S. France, Spain,
Portugal, N.W. Africa (Tunis to Morocco), Sicily, Poland,
Austria, and Hungary to Rumania and S. Russia ; also SAV. Asia
to India. Migrates ; occurs on passage in Sardinia (rare), Italy,
Greece ; in winter Egypt, Nubia, N.E. Africa, and India.
BUTEO.
Eagle-like, with long wings but short partly bare tarsus ;
nostrils longish ; first 4 primaries markedly eniarginale, 5th
less so (in Eagles first 5 are strongly emarginate, 6th
slightly); of heavy flight, rarely taking prey on wing; food,
reptiles, small mammals, etc. ; nest of sticks in trees or
rocks; eggs white tinged pale bluish more or less spotted
or blotched with pale violet grey and deep reddish brown
or rufous.
Buteo buteo buteo (L.). Buzzard. Fr. Buse ; Gcr.
Miiusebussard ; lUd. Pojana ; Siucd. Musvag.
cJ 9 Above brown with generally a few rufous marks ; tail
barred (at all ages) with grey, sometimes white with rufous
tinge ; beneath dark brown, mottled and barred with buff or
white ; under tail coverts white with brown bands, but often not
barred ; in some adults underparts are white or creamy streaked
with long dark spots (this is also a sign of youth) ; tarsus feathered
to within 45 m.m. of toe-joints ; very variable in plumage ; bill is
weaker than in " B. fcrox" and tail is shorter. Bill horn black,
bluish touardb base. Cere, legs and feet yellow. Iris yellowibh
190 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
brown to yellowish white, in young brown. Wing $ 375-400,
$375-410. Tail 190-210. Tarsus 70-76. Bill 24-26.
Breeds. — Great Britain ; Continental Europe from about 65°
to Mediterranean, west of a line from Baltic Provinces and
Poland, Carpathians, and west of Balkan Peninsula. Chiefly
resident. Rare in Egypt and Asia Minor ; occurs occasionally
N.W. Africa ; rare Ireland, recently exterminated there as a
resident.
B. buteo arrigonii Picchi. Smaller than "buteo"; plumage
shows much rufous on upper parts and underparts are deep buff
striped with long drop-like markings, flanks brown ; is closer
to " zimmermannje " but with much less red on tail. Wing
346-385 (H.).
Resident — Sardinia and Corsica.
B. buteo insularum Floericke. Smaller than "buteo," and
rarely shows any rufous margins to upper parts, even in young ;
tail much redder than ever the case in "arrigonii." Wing ^ 345-
360, ? 370-384 (H.).
Resident. — Canary Islands.
B. buteo zimmermannae Ehmcke. Adults generally have
more rufous on upper parts than in "buteo," and also on under-
parts and tail, and under tail coverts are generally distinctly
barred with red brown, approaching " B. b. vulpinus."
Breeds. — N. and C. Russia, Baltic Provinces, E. Germany,
Rumania, and E. Balkans. Partly migratory ; has occurred in
E. Africa in winter. Many birds from this breeding range are
indistinguishable from typical "buteo."
B. buteo vulpinus Gloger. ("Buteo desertorum" of authors.)
A very red form especially on underparts, which are uniform dark
rufous or mottled with white ; tail very rufous but rarely losing
altogether traces of barring as so often is the case in "B. ferox" ;
under wing coverts and axillaries rufous ; in another phase, not
apparently confined to youth, underparts are white with long red
brown spots or streaks.
Breeds. — S.E. Russia from Volga to Caucasus and in W.
Siberia to C. Asia ; Asia Minor. Occurs Egypt and Balkans
on passage ; winters in C. and S. Africa and India ; rare in
W. Europe, once occurred England.
ACCIPITKKS AC^UILID.i: 191
B. buteo harterti Swann. Large, dark race, darker than
"zimmerinannic" ; underparts almost uniform dark to red brown ;
abdomen barred in adults ; tail with 10-12 dark bars. Win^
S 375, ? 412 (H.).
KcsiiitJit. — M ade i ra.
B. buteo rothschildi Swann. Reddish brown ; tail light
grey with 7 to 9 bars, subterminal one being broad ; underparts
uniform dark red brown ; ventral region may be barred and
spotted buff. Wing ^^ 340-360, ? 375-398 (H.).
Reside fit. — Azores.
Buteo lagopus lagopus (Brunnich). Rough-legged
Buzzard. Fr. Buse pattue ; Ger. Rauhfussbussard ; Ital.
Pojana calzata ; Swed. Fjosbent Wrag.
^ $ Upper parts dark brown, crown and nape white striated,
basal parts of inner webs of quills white ; tarsi feathered in front
to toes ; tail white, apical third brown with greyish white tip ;
chin and throat white streaked brown, upper breast dark brown
mottled white, rest of underparts barred white and dark brown.
Bill dark horn, bluish at base. Cere and toes yellow. Iris brown.
Wing c^ 415-433, ? 430-470. Tarsus 70-73. Bill 22-23. Young
darker, breast streaked not barred, rest of underparts almost
uniform dark brown.
Breeds. — Scandinavia, Lapland, Finland, N. Russia from
about 69-50° N. south occasionally to about 56', Baltic Provinces
(rare). Partial migrant ; occurs British Isles in winter, and also
Central Europe to Pyrenees and Alps, and S. Russia, rarely to
Greece and other Mediterranean countries.
Buteo ferox ferox (Gmelin).
Has various phases of plumage.
(<•/) Above brown, with some rufous margins ; tail grey Ijrown
barred, inner webs of tail and quills white ; beneath creamy
white with broad brown streaks, under wing coverts and axillaries
white with red brown shaft streaks.
{/f) Above darker brown, margins broader and more chestnut ;
tail pale cinnamon not barred ; beneath chestnut with dark
shaft lines, barred in some, mottled in others with black feathers,
or altogether uniform chestnut ; under wing coverts and axillaries
chestnut.
192 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
((•) There is also a melanistic form, all dark brown.
Inner webs of quills and tail in all phases grey or white ; com-
binations of plumages (a) and ((^) also occur. Bill blackish horn.
Cere and feet yellow. Iris brown to yellowish brown. Wing
(^ 425-455, ? 440-500. Tarsus 83-86. Bill 30-33. Tail 230-270.
Breeds. — Greece, Asia Minor and Palestine, Steppes of S.
Russia east of Don north to Orenburg and Caspian Steppes,
also W. and C. Asia. Occurs on passage Rumania, Turkey, and
Caucasus ; in winter in Egypt and N.E. Africa south to White
and Blue Niles, also in India. Rare visitor to Central Europe.
B. ferox cirtensis (Levaillant), (a) Adult. Smaller-and redder
than "ferox" ; above brown with rufous margins ; tail and thighs
uniform pale cinnamon, former sometimes with white on inner
webs ; beneath varying from buffy white to deep rufous with dark
shaft lines, under wing coverts and axillaries rufous.
(d) Tail barred ; underparts white to creamy buff with broad
dark streaks and sometimes a dark band across abdomen, under
wing coverts and axillaries white, creamy or partly rufous. Wing
S 360-380, ? 380-400. Tarsus 75-85. Tail 205-220 (H.).
Young in first plumage are much redder, almost chestnut
throughout.
Breeds. — N.W. Africa, Morocco to Tunis. Probably largely
resident.
All races of "ferox"" are distinguishable from those of "buteo"
by their more powerful bills and feet.
Circus.
Birds of long and slender form with slight ruff as in Owls.
Nostrils longitudinal : tail long ; legs long, slender, upper
half of tarsus feathered in front, claws very sharp. Partial
to marshy localities, quartering ground for prey of small
mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, eggs, etc. ; nest on ground ;
eggs bluish white, occasionally with a few rufous spots.
Circus aaruginosus geruginosus (L.). Marsh-Harrier.
Fr. Busard harpaye ; Ger. Rohrweihe ; Ital. Albanella ; Swed.
Sumphok.
ACCI14TRKS— AQIUIJD.K 193
^ Above dark brown, crown and nape rufous with dark
striations, greater coverts, inner primaries, secondaries and tail
ashy grey ; beneath rufous striated brown ; ruff interru^pted in
front. 9 Above paler, crown and generally some feathers on carpal
ridge ochreous buff; wings, tail, and underparts uniform red
brown. Bill blue black. Cere, legs, feet and iris yellow, ist
primary between 5th and 6th, 4th longest. Wing (^ 385-420,
9 385-430. Tarsus 78-86. Bill 23-27. Young : uniform intense
dark brown ; crown (variable), chin, and generally a patch on
breast ochreous buff.
Breeds. — British Isles (rare) ; Continental Europe from S.
Sweden and about 5c/ in N. Russia south to Mediterranean
and east to Urals ; Lower Egypt ; and in W. Asia, Migrates ;
occurs N. Africa on passage. Winters tropical Africa and
India. Rare visitor Norway, Denmark, Faroes, Madeira,
Canary Islands.
C. eeruginosus harterti Zedlitz. ^ Upper parts darker ;
crown whiter, streaks more distinct ; more white on carpal ridge ;
beneath variable ; some very white with rufous on abdomen
and thighs ; others deep brown and rufous with white only
on throat and breast. 9 Whiter on crown and carpal ridge than
i "azruginosus."
Resident. — N.W. Africa and possibly S. Spain and Egypt.
Circus cyaneus cyaneus (L.). Hen -Harrier. Fr.
Busard Saint-Martin ; Gcr. Kornweihe ; Hal. Albanella reale ;
Swed. Bla Karrhok.
(^ Above grey, occasionally with brown shade ; central tail
feathers grey, the others white, irregularly barred or spotted grey ;
upper tail coverts white ; beneath, throat and chest grey, breast,
abdomen, and under tail coverts white ; primaries white at base,
inner webs of secondaries entirely or partly white ; under wing
coverts white ; ruff complete. 9 Above brown, some rufous
margins ; a white patch above and below eye ; primaries beneath
white with dark bars ; underparts reddish buff streaked dark
brown. Bill Ijlack, bluish at base. Cere, legs, feet, and iris
yellow. 1st primary shorter than 6th, 2nd to 5th cmarginate.
^Ving (j 333-355^ ? 372-392. Tarsus 66-73. l^iU 19-21. Young:
more rufous especially on head and underparts.
194 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Breeds. — British Isles ; N.and C. Continental Europe from about
Arctic Circle south to Pyrenees and N. Italy, east to Urals ; and
through-out N. Asia. Migrates; winters in Egypt and NAV. Africa
(rare), E. Africa and India; occasional birds winter in S. Europe.
Circus macrourus (Gmelin). Pale Harrier. Ger.
Steppenweihe ; Ital. Albanella pallida.
^ Above grey, upper tail coverts and tail feathers except
central pair barred white ; beneath white, throat and upper
breast tinged grey; ruff complete. $ like ? "cyaneus" but
upper tail coverts with rusty spots and underparts tinged rust
colour. Bill slaty black, bluish at base. Iris golden yellow.
Cere, legs and feet yellow, ist primary about equal to 6th, 2nd
to 4th emarginate, 5th not emarginate ; emargination of 2nd
begins close to coverts. Wing ^ 340-360, $ 340-373- Tarsus
65-71. Bill.i8-22. Young : almost uniform rufous on underparts,
similar to young of " pygargus '^ ; iris brown.
Breeds. — Baltic Provinces, S. and C. Russia to about 57° N.,
Rumania, Bulgaria ; also S.W. Siberia and C. Asia. Occurs on
migration in Germany (some breed) and S.E. Europe, Asia Minor,
and N.W. Africa. Winters in Egypt (where some breed) and
Africa south to Cape Colony and S. Arabia and India. Rare
visitor to W. Europe.
Circus pygargus (L.). Montagu's Harrier. Fr. Busard
cendre ; Ger. Weisenweihe ; Ital. Albanella minore ; Swed.
Mindre Karrhok.
^ Above grey ; primaries black, secondaries white on inner
webs, with two dark bars visible above ; beneath, throat and breast
grey, abdomen white streaked rufous ; ruff interrupted in front.
$ like ? "macrourus," best distinguished by wing formula.
Bill horn black, greenish grey at base below. Cere, legs and
feet yellow. Iris yellow. 2nd to 4th primaries emarginate outer
webs, emargination of 2nd begins about 30 m.m. beyond coverts.
Wing ^ ? 355-380. Tarsus 57-61. Bill 16-19.
Breeds. — England ; Continental Europe south of Baltic, S.
and C. Russia and Urals from about 57^ ; N. Morocco ; also C.
Asia to Mongolia. Migrates ; occurs on passage Mediterranean
Islands, Tunisia, and Algeria. Winters in Egypt, tropical and
S. Africa, and India.
ACniMrUKS — A(nnLID/E 195
ASTUR.
Size moderate; wing short and rounded; lower part of
tarsus bare, covered with transverse oblong scales as in
Buzzards. Swift, bold, and rapacious; .nest on trees; eggs
pale bluish or greenish white, markings ill-defined or none.
Astur gentilis gentilis (L.). Goshawk. Fr. Autour ;
Gcr. Hiihnerhal^icht ; Itill from cere 30-35 (W.).
Breeds. — Continental Europe from far north, N. and more
rarely C. Russia, Spain, Balearic Islands, Corsica, Sardinia,
Greece, N.W. Africa, Canary Islands, Egypt ; and in N. Asia
to Pacific and in S.W. Asia ; in many parts of Europe extinct
as breeding, c.i^. Britain, Holland, Belgium, France, Austria,
Rumania. Migrates ; winters in tropical Africa.
Gypabtus.
Head feathered ; nostrils and cere concealed by bristles ;
tuft of bristles on chin ; carrion-eaters of solitary habits,
inhabiting mountain districts; nest in cliffs; eggs yellowish
orange, sometimes blotched with reddish brown.
Gypaetus barbatus barbatus(L.). Bearded Vulture.
Ger. Lammergeier.
(J 9 Above black, greyish on quills ; crown and neck rufous
cream, hind neck reddish buff, line across forecrown, patch over
eye, lores and bristles black ; beneath deep rust colour, occasion-
ally a few black feathers on throat, axillaries and tail with buff
shaft lines. Bill bluish horn with black tip. Legs and feet
plumbeous. Iris orange, sclerotic blood red. Tail 12 feathers,
wedge-shaped. Wing 715-790. Bill from cere 48-50 (H.).
Young : head and neck black, some chestnut tips on throat ;
beneath browner.
Resident. — N.W. Africa ; Atlas of Morocco, Algeria and Tunis.
G. barbatus grandis Storr. Larger, with numerous black
feathers on throat ; a patch of feathers on each side of breast
has dark brown edges, they sometimes almost meet in middle.
Wing 760-860 (H.).
Resident. — S. Europe ; Spain, Pyrenees, Alps, Corsica, Balkans,
Greece ; east through Asia Minor to Caucasus, and also farther
east in Asia ; Egypt. Extinct as a breeding bird in Sardinia and
Sicily, and rapidly becoming so in many other localities.
ArriPITRRS— AQLILID.K 203
Neophron.
I'.ill Iodl:; and slender; forccrown, sides of head and
throat hare: tail wedge-shaped, 14 feathers; valuable
scavenger about towns and villages ; eggs white or ochreous,
richly blotched with dark red.
Neophron percnopterus percnopterus (L.). Egyptian
Vulture. Gcr. Aasgeier ; Ital. Capovaccajo.
^ 9 Creamy white, long occipital feathers darker, primaries
black. Bill dusky black, yellow at base. Cere and bare part of
head yellow. Legs and feet dark flesh. Iris deep red. Wing
475-520. Tarsus 75-85. Bill from cere 31-35 (H.). Young:
brown, feathers broadly tipped and margined fulvous.
Breeds. — S. France, .Spain, Portugal, Italy, S.E. Hungary,
Pialkans, Greece, S. Russia to Caucasus, Egypt, N.W. Africa,
Canary Islands ; also S.W. Asia to India and widely in Africa.
Migratory in Europe. Has occurred twice in England.
Gyps.
Head bare or covered with down ; nostrils exposed, oval
and perpendicular; wings long and rounded, tail rounded,
14 feathers; food, carrion; soar at great altitudes; nest
usually in communities in cliffs ; egg one, white, rarely
marked red.
Gyps fulvus fulvus (Hablizl). Griffon Vulture. Fr.
Vautour griffon ; (]er. (i;inscgeier ; ]/aL Grifone.
(^ 9 adult. Above pale Ijrown, head covered with white
hairs, neck with a white downy ruff; undcrparts red brown.
Bill slate. Legs and feet light brown. Iris hazel. Cere dark
slate. Wing 690-750 (H.). Tarsus 90-110. Bill 68. Young:
more rufous, head and neck covered with white down, riifif
replaced by frill of long narrow feathers, reddish brown with
buff shafts.
Resident. — Mediterranean liasin and Islands, north to Pyrenees,
N. Italy, S. Hungary, Rumania; S. Russia to Caucasus; also
S.W. Asia to Himalayas and in Red Sea Basin. Once occurred
Ireland.
204 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Bill higher than broad ; nares round ; head and throat
covered with down, neck naked at sides and back ; nest in
tree ; eggs white marked with red.
-^gypius monachus (L.)- Black Vulture. Ge?-.
Monchsgeier ; Ifal. Avvoltoio.
(^ 9 Dark brown ; down on head and throat brownish
white ; naked neck livid blue ; round neck a ruff of long pale
brown feathers. Bill dark horn, paler below. Cere bluish.
Legs and feet pearly white. Iris hazel. Wing 760-840. Tarsus
130. Bill from cere to tip 61-67 (H.).
Reside?!/. — Spain and Portugal, N. Morocco, Sardinia, Sicily,
S.E. Europe from Austria and Hungary to Balkans ; Crimea,
Caucasus and north to Orenburg ; Egypt ; and widely in Asia.
Otogyps.
Nostrils oval, perpendicular; head and neck with little
down.
Otogyps auricularis (Daudin).
$ $ General colour brown ; head and neck nearly naked,
bluish grey to dull reddish violet ; on the chin some long black
hairs ; beneath feathers of underparts is a thick white down,
becoming brown on thighs ; on lower neck a frill of lanceolate
brown feathers with paler margins ; these extend down centre of
breast. Bill blackish horn. Cere slaty grey. Legs and feet blue
grey. Iris dark brown. Wing 750-790. Tarsus 130. Bill from
cere 70-74 (H.).
An African species, whose range extends to Lower Egypt.
GRESSORES.
Storks, Herons, Ibises, Spoonbills. Hind toe
always present and comparatively long ; toes more or
less connected at base ; oil-gland feathered. Nestling;
helpless, thickly covered with down.
GRESSORES-CKX)NIID/E 205
CICONIID^.
No powdcr-duwn patrlics ; slcrnuni with two incisions
behind; claws l)kint : tarsus hexagonally scaled.
CiCONIA.
Kill straight; nostrils short horizontal slits; part of lores
and chin bare; lower feathers of neck elongated; frequent
damp places, feed on frogs, small mammals, insects; nest
of sticks in tree or on building; eggs 3-5, white.
Ciconia ciconia ciconia (L.). White Stork. Fr.
Cigogne ; Gcr. Slorch ; Ital. Cigogna ; Sioed. Slork.
^ $ White ; wings (except lesser wing coverts) and scapulars
black ; naked lores and skin round eye black ; chin black and
red. Bill, legs and feet red. Wing $ 530-630, $ 530-590.
Tarsus 195-240. Bill ^ 150-190, $ 140-170 (W.).
Breeds. — Continental Europe from S. Sweden and Russia
about 60'' N. to Mediterranean (not in Belgium or France except
N.E.) ; N.W. Africa (Morocco to Tunis); also Asia Minor,
W. and C. Asia. Migrates ; winters in C. and S. Africa. Of
occasional occurrence in Britain.
Ciconia nigra (L.). Black Stork. Gcr. Schwarzer
Storch ; Sroed. Svart Stork.
^ $ Breast, abdomen, under tail coverts and axillaries
white ; rest of plumage black with green or purple gloss ; bare
skin on chin, round eye and of lores red. Bill, legs and feet
orange red. Wing 520-600. Tarsus 180-200. Bill 160-190 (W.).
Young : brown, abdomen white.
Breeds. — S. Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Austria, Hungary,
Lower Danube valley ; Spain and Portugal (rare) ; and east
through Russia from about 60" N. ; also N. and C. Asia to
Pacific. Migrates ; occurs in winter in Africa, India, and
China. Rare visitor Britain, Norway, Finland.
IBIDIDJE.
Ibises and Spoonbills. One incision posterior edge
sternum. No powder-down patches. Bill long and thin,
either sickle-shaped or ilat.
206 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Platalea.
Bill long, flat, expanding into a broad disc towards tip.
Resemble Storks in habits ; feed on small fish, frogs,
crustaceans, insects; nest of sticks in marshes on ground
among reeds or on trees ; eggs 3-4, dull chalky white spotted
pale red.
Platalea leucorodia leucorodia L. Spoonbill. Fr.
Spatule blanche ; Ger. Loffler ; Ital. Spatola.
^ 9 White, with yellow tinge on chest and crest feathers ;
naked skin of throat and round eyes yellow. Bill black, yellow
at tip. Legs and feet black. Iris red.- Wing <^ 360-397, ?
360-375. Tarsus 120-145. I^i^l 180-223 (H.).
Breeds. — Holland, S. Spain, Hungary, Rumania, Jugo-Slavia,
Russia (Bessarabia, Pinsk Marshes, and on Lower Volga to 49"),
Caucasus ; also W. and C. Asia and N.E. Africa. Migrates ;
occurs occasionally Britain (Norfolk) and on passage France (where
no longer breeds), N. Africa. Winters tropical Africa and India.
P. leucorodia major Temminck and Schlegel. Larger. Wing
to 405. Bill 235.
Breeds. — From Egypt through C. Asia to India and China.
Migratory in north, resident in south of its range.
Plegadis.
Bill long, sickle-shaped ; nostrils slit-like ; tibia half bare.
Resemble Curlews in habits ; frequent marshes, lagoons, etc. ;
nest of flags and aquatic plants in marshes in colonies, on
ground or on bushes ; eggs 3, dark greenish blue.
Plegadis falcinellus falcinellus (L.). Glossy Ibis.
Fr. Ibis falcinelle ; Ger. Brauner Ibis ; Ital. Mignattaio ; Swed.
Svart Ibis.
$ $ summer. Crown, face, wings, and back coppery green ;
scapulars lilac ; lesser wing coverts and underparts claret brown.
In winter : head and neck brown, streaked with white ; under-
parts smoky brown. Bill, legs and feet dark olive brown. Iris
dark brown. Wing $ 290-306, ? 264-277. Tarsus 85-103.
Bill $ 126-145, ? 100-120 (H.).
GKESSOUES — AUDEID.i: 207
Breeds. — Spain (Marismas), France (Camargue), Lower
Danube, S. Russia (Lower Dniester and Volga), Caucasus, and
widely in Asia, N. Africa and also in S.E. United States.
Migrates; visits N.W. Europe, including Britain, chiefly in
autumn, has occurred north to Iceland. Winters tropical and
S. Africa and Asia, and some in Sardinia, Tunisia and Palestine.
COMATIBIS.
Head and upper neck in front naked ; head somewhat
hammer-shaped ; throat feathers long, thin, and lance-like.
Comatibis eremita (L.).
(^ ^ Plumage bronzy purple and green. Dill, legs, feet,
and naked skin on sides of head and throat red, on top of head
black. Iris reddish orange. Wing ^ 403-420, $ 390-408.
Tarsus 68-72. Billed 133-147, ? 115-131(1^.).
Breeds. — Morocco, Algeria, N.E. Africa and S.W\ Asia,
formerly bred in Alpine districts of S. Europe. Apparently
resident.
Threskiornis.
Entire head and neck bare.
Threskiornis aethiopicus aethiopicus (Latham).
Sacred Ibis.
(^ 9 Bare head and neck black ; plumage snowy white ;
tips of primaries, inner secondaries and scapulars black. Bill
black. Legs and feet dark red. Iris brown. Wing ^ ^ 360-
400. Tarsus 90-100. Bill 138- 170 (H,).
Resident. — Africa south of Sahara, S. Arabia, and Mesopotamia ;
of occasional occurrence in Egypt.
ARDEIDiE.
Herons. wSternuni with two incisions on hind margin;
outer and mid toes joined by web at base; middle claw
pectinated ; powder-down patches present on breast and sides
of rump.
208 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Ardea.
Large; never altogether white; bill strong, straight,
pointed: occiput crested or with a few long narrow feathers;
scapulars long but not to tip of wing ; frequent rivers, lakes,
sea-shore, etc., feed on fish, frogs, insects; breed in colonies
on ground or trees ; eggs pale blue-green.
Ardea cinerea cinerea L. Common Heron. Fr. Heron
huppe ; Gcr. Fischreiher ; Ital. Airone cenerino ; Sived. Gra
Hager.
$ $ General colour grey ; crown white, black at sides ;
central line of throat and chest white with black stripes, sides
of abdomen black, centre white ; feathers of nape, lower neck,
breast and scapulars elongated. Bill brown above, yellow below.
Bare space round eye and iris yellow. Legs and ftet greenish
brown. Wing 445-470. Tarsus 135-152. Bill 109-120.
Breeds. — British Isles ; Continental Europe from 64'' N. in
Norway and 60° in Russia to Mediterranean ; Egypt, N.W.
Africa, Azores, Madeira and Canaries ; also widely in Asia and
Africa. Migratory in northern part of its breeding range, birds
from N. Europe wintering in Mediterranean Basin and Africa.
Resident in Britain.
Ardea purpurea purpurea L. Purple Heron. Fr.
Heron pourpre ; Ger. Purpurreiher ; Ital. Airone rosso.
<^ $ Above grey, scapulars with cinnamon tips ; crown of
elongated feathers, line down sides of neck, centre of breast
and abdomen black ; lower dorsal neck plumes creamy streaked
black ; sides of breast and abdomen maroon. Bill brownish
yellow. Legs and feet dark brown in front, yellowish behind.
Iris golden yellow. Wing 340-383. Tarsus 108-135. Lill
123-146. Young: no long plumes on crown, general colour
reddish brown or dark buff, crown chestnut; neck and breast
striated dark grey, throat white.
Breeds. — Locally in Europe south from Holland, France and
Hungary ; in S. Russia north to Pinsk Marshes and 48° on
Volga ; also widely in W. and C. Asia and all Africa, including
north. In Europe chiefly migratory ; occasionally occurs to north of
breeding range, even to S. Sweden, rare wanderer to British Isles.
GllESSORES— ARDEID.K 209
Ardea melanocephala Vigors and Children.
(iiey with no clicstnut colour and with crown and back of
neck black (grey in young). Wing ^ 9 388-420. Tarsus 133-148.
Bill 93-108 (H.).
An African species ; has occurred accidentally in S. Europe
and N. Africa.
Egretta.
White Herons, with ornamental plumes in breeding season,
breeding in colonies in morasses (on platform on reeds or on
bushes), or in high trees ; eggs 3-4, pale greenish blue.
Egretta alba alba (L.). Great White Heron, fr.
Heron aigrette ; Gen Grosser Silberreiher ; //«/. Airone bianco
maggiore.
(^ ? summer. White ; long dorsal plumes drooping over
tail ; feathers of neck and breast elongated. Bill black, yellow
at base. Facial skin greenish yellow. Legs and feet black
in front, yellow behind. Iris yellow. After breeding season
dorsal plumes drop off and bill becomes yellow, as it is in
young. Wing ^ 410-465, $ 400-450. Tarsus 170-215. Bill
S 1 10-135, ? 1 10-132 (w.).
Breeds. — Hungary, Rumania, Balkan Peninsula, S. Russia
(Lower Volga, Ural and Emba), and through Asia to N. China
and Japan. Migratory in north of breeding range ; occurs in
winter in N. Africa (Algeria to Egypt), India and S. China. Of
occasional occurrence in C, N.W. and S.W. Europe, as far as
Britain.
Egretta garzetta garzetta (L.). Little Egret. Fr.
Heron garzette ; Ger. Seidenreiher ; 7fa/. Garzetta.
(^ $ White ; in breeding season with two long narrow crest
feathers, long dorsal plumes, and a tuft of long feathers on
breast ; facial skin slaty blue. Bill and legs black, toes yellow.
Iris yellow. Wing 250-310. Tarsus 90-115. Bill 73-92.
Jirceds. — Spain, S. France (Camargue), N.W. Africa, Italy
(Po Valley and Tuscany), Hungary, Balkan Peninsula, S. Russia
to Volga and Ural, Caucasus, and in Asia to China and Japan ;
also through Africa. Migratory in Europe. Of occasional
occurrence Madeira, Canaries, Azores, British Isles.
O
210 BIRDS OF EUROrE AND NORTH AFRICA
Ardeola.
Smaller Herons ; tarsus shorter ; plumage not entirely white.
Ardeola ibis ibis (L.). Buff-backed Heron. Fr. Heron
garde-bocuf; Gcr. Kuhreiher ; //<^/. Airone guarda-buoi.
^ summer. White ; crown with lengthened feathers, chest
and dorsal plumes reddish buff. In winter long dorsal plumes
are absent and feathers on crown are shorter, crown is pale
buff, chest and back white tinged creamy buff. Bill, orbital
skin, legs, feet and irides yellow. Wing ^ 5 247-255. Tarsus
78-85. Bill 54-57. ? in summer resembles $ ; in winter chest and
back are white. Young like winter $, legs dark greenish brown.
Breeds. — Spain and Portugal, N.W. Africa, Egypt and through
Africa and S.W. Asia. Partly migratory ; many winter S. Spain ;
casual in Europe outside breeding range, twice in England.
Ardeola ralloides Scopoli. Squacco Heron. F7\ Heron
crabier ; Gcr. Rallenreiher ; Ital. Sgarza-ciuffeto.
^ 9 summer. Wings, lower back, tail and underparts white ;
crown (dark striped), neck, breast and lateral dorsal plumes
ochreous buff, central dorsal plumes vinous. In autumn dorsal
plumes are lost, foreback and scapulars yellowish brown. Bill
blackish horn, greenish at base below. Legs and feet in summer
yellow, in winter yellowish green. Iris yellow. Wing 205-235.
Tarsus 57-64. Bill 58-65. Immature birds have back brown,
little or no ochreous colour, neck more streaked, and primaries
with brown shafts.
Breeds. — N.W. Africa and S. Spain, Hungary, Rumania,
Lower Danube Valley, W. Balkans, S.W. Russia, Volga and
Ural districts ; also S.W. Asia and through Africa. Migrates ;
occurs on passage in Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Greece, Madeira and
Canaries. Casual in N.W. Europe, including Britain.
Nycticorax.
Bill shorter than head, strong and broad; neck short and
thick; on nape several long wdiite tape-like feathers.
Nycticorax nycticorax nycticorax (L.). Night
Heron. F^. Huron bihoreau ; Gcr. Nachtreiher ; Ital. Nitticora.
$, 9 Crown, nape, scapulars, and back dark green ; foreneck,
GKESSOKES— AKDKID.K 211
nuchal feathers, eyebrow, and abdomen white ; wings grey tinged
brown. Bill black, greenish at base below. Facial skin greenish.
Legs and feet yellow. Iris crimson. Wing (^ 281-305, 9 274-290.
Tarsus 70-78. Bill 65-76 (H,). Young : brown with tawny
streaks and large white or buff spots on wings. Iris brown.
Legs and feet greenish yellow.
Breeds. — S. Europe from Spain and Portugal through S. France
(Camargue) and Italy to Austria, Hungary, and Balkan Peninsula
(not Greece, occasional Holland and Germany) ; S. Russia to
about 52' X. east to Volga and Ural ; Caucasus ; also through
Asia to Japan and in all Africa to Cape. Migratory in the
north ; occurs rarely in N. and N.W. Europe, Canaries, and
Azores. Casual in British Isles.
IXOBRYCHUS.
Bill much pointed, serrated near tip and nearly straight ;
tail 10 feathers; no ornamental plumes.
Ixobrychus minutus minutus (L.). Little Bittern.
Fr. Heron blongios ; Ger. Zwergrohrdommel ; Ital. Tarabusino.
^ Creamy buff; crown, nape, back, quills, and tail black;
wing coverts white more or less washed buff. Bill yellow, ridge
above dark brown. Facial skin greenish. Legs and feet green.
Iris orange yellow. Wing c^ ? 140-152. Tarsus 45-47. Bill 45-52.
$ more ochreous ; crown black, back brown or chestnut with faint
buff streaks, wing coverts ochreous. In young, crown is chestnut.
Breeds. — Nearly all Europe south of Baltic ; Russia north to
about 60"', east to Volga and Ural ; Caucasus, and N. Africa ;
also C. and S.W. Asia. Migrates ; occurs in winter in Africa and
India and on passage in Switzerland, Sardinia, Dalmatia, and
Greece ; rare in Scandinavia and British Isles.
BOTAURUS.
10 tail feathers; hill pointed, serrated near tip; more
nocturnal than Herons, shy, skulking auKjngst reeds; often
protect themselves from observation by clinging vertically to a
reed stem.
212 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Botaurus stellaris stellaris (L.). Bittern. Fj-. Grand
Butor ; Gcr. Rohrdommel ; Ital. Tarabuso ; Swed. Rohrdrom.
^ $ Above tawny, marked, freckled, and streaked with dark
brown or chestnut ; quills brown, barred chestnut ; beneath dark
buff, streaked with reddish brown. Bill greenish yellow, upper
ridge brown. Legs and feet pale green, back of tarsus and soles
yellow. Facial skin green. Iris yellow. Wing $, 320-350,
$ 300-326. Tarsus 96-102 (H.). Bill 65-75.
Breeds. — England (Norfolk) ; Continental Europe from S.
Sweden (rare), Finland (very rare), and N. Russia about 63°,
south to Mediterranean ; N.W. Africa, and through temperate
Asia to Japan. Migrates ; occasional in winter in Britain, Greece,
Macedonia. Winters in Egypt, and Africa to Abyssinia, also
India and China.
Botaurus lentiginosus (Montagu). Distinguished from
"stellaris" by its uniform slaty grey primaries. Wing ^ 270-305,
9 245-270. Tarsus 86-97. Bill 68-80 (W.).
An American species ; has occurred about forty times in
Britain, also Iceland, Channel Islands, Canaries, and Azores.
PHCENICOPTERI.
Legs very long and slender, feet webbed ; bill abruptly
bent in middle and lamellated on both mandibles;
only one genus " Fhoenicopterus " ; gregarious; nest
low platform or mound of mud ; eggs 2, chalky white.
PHCENICOPTERID.^.
Characters as in the Order.
Phcenicopterus.
Phoenicopterus ruber antiquorum Temminck.
Flamingo. Fr. Flamant rose ; Ital. Fenicottero.
^ 9 Rosy white ; quills black, wing coverts and axillaries
scarlet. Bill pink with black tip. Facial skin pink. Legs and
feet deep pink. Iris yellow. Wing ^ 360-445, ? 350-420.
Tarsus ^ 280-370, $ 260-300. Bill 118-132 (H.). Young: neck
ANSERES— ANATID.^^: 213
brown ; upper parts light brown with dark streaks, wing coverts
white with dark brown apical spots ; lioneath wliite with narrow
brown shaft streaks, under carpal coverts and axillaries rosy ;
white is gradually acquired with age. IJill lead colour. Legs
and feet leaden brown. Iris brown.
Breeds. — S. Spain, S. France (Camargue, where some winter),
and W. Asia as far as India. Migrates ; found in N.W. Africa at all
seasons, not breeding ; Egypt in winter, also Greece, Italy, Sardinia,
and Corsica ; elsewhere in Europe rare visitor, very rare Britain.
The typical race " P. r, ruber" is American.
ANSERES.
Toes 4 in number, fully webbed always in front 3 ;
bill, at tip a horny plate (nail), edges of mandibles
with rows of fine lamellae; under the feathers a rich
covering of down ; eggs unspotted.
ANATIDiE.
Characters as in Order "Anseres."
Cygnus.
Neck long, equal to or longer than body; tarsus short,
reticulated, hind toe not lobed.
Cygnus cygnus (L.). Whooper Swan. Fr. Cygne
sauvage ; Gcr. Singschwan ; Ital. Cigno selvatico ; Swed.
Sangsvan.
^ $ Entirely white. Bill in front black, base yellow ;
yellow extending forward at sides to below middle of nares.
Lores yellow. Legs and feet black. Iris brown. Wing ^
580-628, '-^^/^\— Iceland, N. and W. Scotland, Continental Europe
north and east of a line from Denmark through Germany,
Austria and Hungary to Rumania and Macedonia (has also
bred in Spain and Algeria), Caucasus, and through N. Asia
to Kamtschatka. Chiefly migratory. Resident in Scotland,
occurs in winter south to Mediterranean (abundant S. Spain)
and N.W. Africa, and S.W. Asia to India and China ; occasional
in Azores and Madeira.
Anser albifrons albifrons (Scopoli). White-fronted
Goose. Ger. Bhissgans ; Ital. Oca lombardella ; Swed. Bkisgas.
$ ? Resemble "A. anser" but smaller, and lack grey on
wing coverts and rump ; a white band on forehead varying in
width and not reaching eyes ; underparts heavily marked with
black (except in extreme youth). Wings long, but barely
reaching end of tail. Bill pale flesh, edges of nostrils, a longi-
tudinal streak between them and on rami of lower mandible
yellowish, nail white. Legs and feet orange, occasionally pinkish,
claws white. Eyelids grey. Wing ^ 415-450, 9 380-405.
Tarsus 68-75. Bill 45-51.
Breeds. — Lapland, Finland, Kola and Kanin Peninsulas,
Kolguev, Nova Zembla, and through N. Siberia to New Siberian
Islands ; also Iceland and Greenland. Migratory ; occurs in
winter in C. and S. Europe (British Isles to Mediterranean),
N. Africa, and widely in S. Asia ; found on passage in N. Europe,
Denmark, Poland, Germany, and C. Russia.
Anser erythropus (L.). Lesser White-fronted Goose.
Fr. Oie naine ; Ger. Zwerggans ; Swcd. Finmarke Gas.
^ 9 Smaller than "albifrons," wings reach beyond tail,
white on forehead extends above to behind the line of the eyes.
Eyelids orange yellow. Bill rosy flesh or rosy red, nail white.
Legs and feet orange yellow. Iris dark chestnut. Wing $ 367-
388, ? 352-381. Tarsus 58-62. Bill 28-35 (W.).
Breeds. — Finland, Lapland, Kanin Peninsula, Kolguev, Nova
Zembla and across north Coast of Asia. Migrates ; winters
W. Europe, British Isles to Spain and Italy (rare), also Greece
and Egypt and in Asia (India to China and Japan).
216 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Anser fabalis fabalis (Latham). Bean Goose. Fr.
Oic vulgairc ; Gcr. Saatgans ; Ital. Oca granaiola ; Swcd.
Sadgas.
^ $ Resemble "A. anser" but darker and margins paler,
no grey on wing coverts or rump, and no black markings on
underparts. Bill black and orange yellow, but very variable,
usually upper mandible black at base, with a yellow band below
and in front between base and nail, lower mandible yellow,
with black along rami and at tip. Nail usually black, but
sometimes white or half white, half black. Legs and feet amber
to orange yellow, claws black. Iris brown. Wing $ 447-473,
9 424-452. Tarsus 71-82 (W.). Bill 50-63.
Breeds. — N. Europe from 63" in Norway, Finland, N. Sweden,
and N. Russia ; Kolguev, Nova Zembla, and in Siberia east
to Taimyr Peninsula. Migratory ; many winter in Sweden, and
occur also through Europe from British Isles to Mediterranean
and Black Seas ; N.W. Africa and Caucasus ; found in Baltic
Provinces and Poland only on passage. Occasional Iceland and
Greenland ; rare visitor Madeira.
Anser brachyrhynchus Baillon. Pink-footed Goose.
Ger. Rotfussgans ; Swed. Spetsbergen Sadgas.
$ ? Smaller than "A. fabalis," wing coverts, especially
greater coverts, grey, and greyer on underparts. Bill shorter,
black at base and on nail, remainder rosy pink, this colour
extending back under nostrils to gape. Legs and feet pink.
Iris dark brown. Wing 400-460. Tarsus jo-yy. Bill 44-49.
Breeds. — Spitzbergen, generally on ledges of cliffs, and prob-
ably in Franz Joseph Land. Migrates ; occurs on passage
Bear Island, Nova Zembla, Iceland, W. Norway, Denmark, and
in winter British Isles (very rare Ireland), Holland, France,
Sweden, Faroes, Hungary (rare), Italy (very rare).
Anser hyperboreus hyperboreus Pallas. Snow
Goose.
$ $ Snowy white, primaries black, outer primaries grey
towards base ; primary coverts grey with black shafts. Bill red,
paler below and with black stripes along cutting edge, nail
yellowish white. Legs and feet lilac to orange red, claws black.
Iris dark brown. Wing 385-440. Tarsus 75-82. Bill 50-60.
.\Nsi:i{KS— anatidj: 217
Young : ash brown with broad white mari^ins, primaries as in
adult. liill dark brownish i^rcy with black strii)cs alonj,^ edL,^cs.
Lej^'^s and feet dark grey.
Breeds. — E. Asia and \V. America, in Arctic regions. Migrates
to Pacific Coasts of Asia and America in winter, but has occurred
in several P^uropean countries, British Isles, Germany, Holland,
France, Hungary, Norway, and Russia.
A. hyperboreus nivalis (Forster). Larger. Wing 440-445.
Tarsus So-89. Culmen 65-69 (H.). Bill larger, stronger and
deeper than in "hyperboreus." $ from Solway Firth, i8th
February 1921, measured : wing 440 ; tarsus 86 ; bill 64.
Jhrcds. — Greenland, Arctic N.E. America. Has occurred in
Ireland and Scotland.
Branta.
In closed bill no "teeth" visible on cutting edge of upper
mandible.
Branta bernicla bernicla (L.). Brent Goose. Fr.
Cravant ; Gcr. Ringelgans ; Ital. Oca colombaccio ; Siocd.
Prutgas.
^ 9 Above brown ; crown, neck (with a white patch on
either side) and chest black ; beneath whitish grey or smoky
brown, flanks barred pale brown and white. I)ill, legs and feet
black. Iris dark brown. Wing 300-352. Tarsus 54-63. l')ill
3--37 ( ? smaller than $ ).
Breeds. — Arctic regions ; in Greenland from 70" to 82-30'" N.,
Kolguev, Nova Zembla, Spitzbergen, Franz Joseph Land and
in Siberia east to Taimyr Peninsula. Migrates ; occurs on
passage Jan Mayen, Iceland, Lapland and Faroes ; in winter
British Isles, Continental P2urope, chiefly North Sea Coasts,
rarer in Baltic ; occasionally to Portugal, Morocco and
Egypt.
Branta leucopsis (Bechstein). Barnacle Goose. Fr.
Barnachc nonnetlc ; Ger. Weisswangengans ; Itul. Oca faccia
bianca ; Swcd. Iloitkindad (las.
^ ? Crown, neck, chest, back and rump black ; face, throat
and underparts white ; wing coverts and scapulars grey with
218 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
crescentic bars of dark brown and white tips, flanks barred light
brown and white. l>ill, legs and feet black. Wing 390-425.
Tarsus 62-75. Bill 28-33.
Breeds. — Spitzbergen, E. Greenland, on ledges of cliffs.
Migrates ; occurs on passage Iceland, vScandinavia, Finland,
N. Russia, Baltic Provinces and Germany. Winters British Isles,
Holland, Belgium, France ; rarely to Hungary, Egypt, Spain
and Morocco.
Branta ruficollis (Pallas). Red-breasted Goose. Ger.
Rothalsgans ; Hal. Oca collo rosso.
^ $ Upper parts and breast, throat and vertical band on
face black ; a patch on cheeks (encircled by white) and chest
chestnut ; fore face, a pectoral band, tips of wing coverts and
abdomen white. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing 345-365.
Tarsus 52-56. Bill 23-26 (H.).
Breeds. — W. Siberia. Winters abundantly Caspian Basin ;
occurs on passage Volga Delta and S. Russia, casual in W.
Europe. Very rare Britain.
Alopochen.
"Teeth" of bill weakly developed; nail broad, occupying
end of bill ; a spur on wing-angle.
Alopochen aegyptiaca (L.). Egyptian Goose.
^ 9 Above reddish brown, lower neck and upper back
yellowish brown with fine darker wavy lines ; scapulars grey
brown and chestnut ; primaries and primary coverts black ;
secondaries, outer web bronze green, inner web brown ; upper
wing coverts white, with a black subterminal band on the greater ;
beneath white, foreneck grey brown, forebreast and flanks
yellowish with fine brown vermiculations ; in centre of breast a
chestnut spot ; axillaries white ; under wing coverts, inner white,
outer black ; under tail coverts yellowish. Bill red with dark
brown edges. Legs and feet reddish flesh. Wing $ 400-430,
? 350-385- Tarsus 70 ? to 90 c?. Bill 45-53 (H.).
Reside7it in Nile Valley, Palestine (Dead Sea) and C. and
S. Africa. Accidental in Europe and British Isles (? escaped
birds).
ANSRRES— ANATIDyE 219
Tadorna.
Hill concave, nail narrow, shar[)ly bent down and recurved
over tip of mandible; old ^ in breeding season with knob
at l)ase of bill; horn knob at bend of wing; breed in
burrows.
Tadorna tadorna (L.). Sheldrake. Fr. Canard tadorne ;
Gcr. Brandente ; ItaL Volpoca ; Siocd. Grafand.
$ Head, neck, and speculum green ; chest, wing coverts,
back, and underparts white ; scapulars black, fore part of body
chestnut ; red knob on bill. 9 lacks knob on bill and generally
duller plumaged. Bill red in spring, paler later, nail dusky.
Legs and feet flesh colour. Wing $ 300-350, 9 280-295. Tarsus
$ 51-58, $ 46-53. Bill $ 49-50, ? 42-44. Young: above
smoky brown ; face, neck, and rump white ; underparts white ;
chestnut begins to appear in October.
^r3-i97. Tarsus
36-38. Bill S 26-29, ? 24-26.
Breeds. — Iceland, Greenland, and north-east N. America.
Rare visitor to Europe ; has occurred in Britain, Faroes, .Scandi-
navia, N. Russia, Germany, France, Switzerland and N. Italy.
POLYSTICTA.
Bill longer than tarsus; tail 14 feathers; plumage like
Eider Ducks. Sexes different.
Polysticta stelleri (Pallas). Steller's Eider.
ri Mead and wing coverts white ; throat, collar, back, rump,
and upper tail coverts blue black ; forehead and occipital tuft sea
green ; beneath, reddish buff, shading to dark brown on abdomen ;
secondaries (inner curved) and narrow pointed scapulars blue
with inner webs white. Bill bluish, tip white. Legs and feet
blue grey, webs dark grey. $ Dark brown with rufous margins,
more chestnut on breast, abdomen dusky, tips of greater wing
coverts white, speculum blue. Bill dusky blue. Legs and feet
dusky olive. Wing (^ 9 209-217. Tarsus 34-37. liill 36-40 (W.).
Breeds. — Arctic Siberia east of Taimyr Peninsula, Alaska,
and Arctic America, doubtful in Europe (Varanger Fiord, Ribachi
Peninsula, and Murman Coast). Occurs in winter in small
numbers Norway, Sweden, Finland, N. Russia ; occasional
Denmark, Prussian Coast ; rare Britain, France, Italy.
SOMATBRIA.
Bill almost straight, about as long as head, high at base ;
frontal feathers terminate in three acute angles, lateral angles
reach a point nearly in middle of bill; tail 14-16 feathers.
Sexes different; fref^ueiU sea-coasts.
Somateria mollissima mollissima (L.). Eider. Fr.
Eider ; dcr. Eidercnle ; S-,.ill 30-36.
Bnrds. — Spitzbergen, Kolguev, Nova Zembla, \Vaij,'atz,
Siberian and Arctic American Coasts, Greenland ; occurs at all
seasons, non-breeding, l>ear Island, Jan Mayen, Iceland ; in
winter rare or occasional on N. and W. European Coasts from
N. Russia to 15ritain, France, Italy.
OXYURA.
Tarsus short, feet large ; tail feathers 18, stiff and pointed ;
hill swollen at base, concave above in middle : frequent
inland w^aters ; eggs rough shelled.
Oxyura leucocephala (Scopoli). White-headed Duck.
Ger. Ruderente ; Ita/. Goljbo rugginoso.
^ Above huffy brown, freckled rufous ; upper tail coverts
chestnut; head and chin white; centre of crown, throat and collar
black ; beneath brown, buff tipped, glossy chestnut on breast. Bill
blue. Legs and feet grey brown, webs black. 9 Head brown,
infra-ocular stripe and throat white freckled brown, no black collar.
Wing $ 158-165, $ 150-160. Tarsus 34-36. Bill 44-46.
Breeds. — Spain, N.W. Africa, Lower Egypt, Corsica, Sardinia,
S. Italy, Sicily, Hungary (local, rare), Germany (rare), Transyl-
vania, Lower Danube, Black Sea, S. Russia north to 50^ ; Asia
Minor, Palestine, and in W. Asia. Partly migratory ; occurs
Persia and Baluchistan in winter; rare in Central and W. Europe.
Mergus
Bill long, narrow, with saw-like sharp teeth in both
mandibles; frequent shores and inland waters; nest in hollow
trees or on ground under rocks ; eggs pale cream or greenish
grey ; feed on fish caught by diving.
Mergus merganser merganser L. Goosander. /•>.
Grand Ilarle ; Gcr. (Jansesager ; /A//. Smergo maggiore ; S'lL'cd.
Storskrake.
^ Head (crested) and neck green ; upper back black, lower
234 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
back to tail .qrey ; serondarics, wing coverts, lower neck and
underparts white with salmon tinge ; tail feathers i8. 1-jill
vermilion, nail and ridge of upper mandible blackish. Legs
and feet yellowish red, webs lighter. $ Above slaty grey,
crown (crested) brown, upper neck and sides of head
chestnut. Bill dull red. Legs and feet duller than in $ . Wing
S 272-290, ? 255-262. Tarsus S 50-53, ? 45-46. Bill S 55-63,
? 48-52.
Breeds. — Iceland, Faroes (rare), Norway, Sweden, Lapland,
Finland, Russia south to Baltic Provinces and C. Volga,
N. Germany, Denmark (few), Scotland, Switzerland (local),
Dobrudscha (occasional), also in N. Asia. Partly migratory ;
occurs in winter south to Spain and Morocco in west ; occasional
Algeria and Egypt ; numerous north Coast Mediterranean, Black
and Caspian Seas ; also Palestine, Persian Gulf, and further
east in Asia.
Mergus serrator L. Red-breasted Merganser. F?;
Harle huppe ; Ge?'. Mittlerersager ; Ifal. Smergo minore ; Swed.
Smaskrake.
$ Crown (crested) and neck greenish black, collar white,
back and scapulars black ; rump and flanks vermiculated black
and white ; wing coverts and secondaries white ; underparts
white, chest reddish buff mottled brown, patch on sides of
breast with large white oval spots; tail feathers 18. Iris
reddish yellow to light red. Bill carmine, ridge above and
nail black. Legs and feet light red. $ Crown and crest
reddish brown, sides of head and the neck more chestnut ;
upper parts grey brown, greater coverts and outer secondaries
white ; underparts white. Bill, legs, feet, and iris duller than
in $. Wing $ 238-257, ? 218-236. Tarsus $ 43-48, ? 40-45.
Bill S 57-63, ? 52-58.
Breeds. — Circumpolar ; in Europe, in Iceland, Norway,
Sweden, Denmark, Lapland, Finland, Russia south to Baltic
Provinces, 50° on Volga and N. Ufa, Caucasus, N. Germany,
Switzerland (local), Faroes, Scotland, Ireland ; also in N. Asia
and N. America. Occurs in winter in British Isles, and Conti-
nental Europe from Holland to Poland south to Mediterranean ;
Azores, Madeira, Tunisia, Egypt (doubtful), Palestine and
S. Asia to Japan ; also America to California and W. Indies.
STEr..\X()I'(H)i:S -IMI \L ACIU^COIJ ACIDT- 23;')
MergllS altaelllis L. Smkw. Fr. Petit Ilnrlc luippc ;
Gtr, Z\veri;s;i};cr ; //ill bluish, nail whitish. Legs and feet plumbeous,
webs blackish. $ Much smaller ; above dark grey, crown and
nape chestnut ; beneath white, grey on chest. Iris dark brown.
Bill, legs and feet slightly greener than in $. Wing $ 192-205,
? 178-186. Tarsus 30-32. Bill $ 28-30, 9 25-28 (W.).
Breeds. — N. Sweden, Lapland, N. Finland, Russia south of
tundras south to Lake Onega, Kama River, Orenburg, and Ufa ;
Dobrudscha ; and in Siberia east to Kamtsrhatka. Occurs in
winter on W. European Coasts south to Mediterranean, and through
C. and S. Europe on lakes and rivers, N.W. Africa (occasional),
N. Mediterranean Coasts, lilack and Caspian Seas, Asia Minor,
and in S. Asia to Japan. Rare visitor to Palestine and Egypt.
Mergus cucullatus L. Hooded Merganser.
^ Above black ; head and neck black, crest laterally com-
pressed, white with black tips ; median wing coverts dove grey ;
beneath white, two black bars on sides of breast, flanks chestnut
vinous; tail 18 feathers. liill black. Legs and feet yellow brown.
Iris yellow. 9 Above brown, beneath white ; head and neck
brown, crest redder, white on wing confined to outer webs of
secondaries. r>ill black, edges orange. Iris brown. Legs and
feet dusky red. Wing $ 192-200, 9 184-198. Tarsus 30-31.
Bill ^ 40-42, ? 35-39.
A North American species. Has occurred four times in
British Isles (Wales and Ireland).
STEGANOPODES.
Feet webbed ; all 4 toes united by membrane.
PHALACROCORACID^.
Bill and neck long; i)ody feathering close with under
covering of down; tail rounded, 12-14 feathers: nostrils
closed in adults.
236 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Phalacrocorax.
Bill straight, compressed sideways, hooked at point; tarsus
short, compressed sideways, not feathered; frequent sea and
inland waters; feed on fish caught by diving; nest on rocks
or trees and generally in colonies; eggs bluish white with
chalky crust.
Phalacrocorax carbo carbo (L.). Cormorant. />.
Grand cormoran ; Ger. Kormoran ; Siued. Storskarf.
$ $ Above bronzy green, with purple margins ; head, neck
and underparts purplish black ; chin and hair-like feathers on
head and neck (January to May) and patch on thighs (January
to July) white ; throat-pouch yellow ; tail 14 feathers. Iris green.
Bill above brown, below yellowish white with brown tip. Legs
and feet black. Wing 340-370. Tarsus 63-70. Bill 62-72.
Full plumage attained in second summer. Young : dark brown,
with slight bronze tinge ; beneath white with pale brown markings,
flanks dark brown.
Breeds. — Coasts of Norway to Kola Penipsula, Iceland,
Faroes, British Isles ; Greenland to Labrador. Chiefly resident ;
a few wander south in winter.
P. carbo subcormoranus (Brehm). Smaller. Bill more
slender ; purple less intense and of a greener shade. Wing
330-356 (H.).
Breeds. — Continental Europe from Baltic to N. Spain, Balearic
Islands, C. and S. Italy, Sardinia, Sicily, Hungary and Rumania;
and through S. Russia to Central Asia. In winter occurs in
Greece, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, and on the Caspian Sea.
P. carbo maroccanus Hartert. Upper parts as in "carbo,"
beneath differs in throat and fore neck (latter with black tips)
being white.
Residcnf. — W. Coast of Morocco.
Phalacrocorax graculus graculus (L.). Shag. Fr.
Cormoran largup ; Ger. Knihenscharbe ; Swed. Toppskarf ; Ital.
Marangone.
^ % Dark oily green with a bronzy tinge, upper parts with
dark margins to feathers, bluish on head (which is crested Jan. to
May) ; bare skin of chin black with yellow spots ; tail 12 feathers.
STKOANOI'ODKS rELErANFDK 237
Bill black, yellow at base below. Legs and feet including webs
black. Iris green. Wing 260-282. Tarsus 58-62. Bill 57-63.
Young : above brown tinged green ; beneath light to whiiiih
brown, throat white. Full plumage is attained in fourth year.
Resident. — Coasts of Norway to P'inmark, Russian Lapland,
Iceland, Faroes, British Isles, W. France, W. Spain and \V.
Portugal. In winter occurs on E. Coast of North Sea.
P. graculus desmaresti (Payraudeau). Bill longer and more
slender, crest smaller or almost absent ; webs yellow, in very old
birds brown. Wing ^ 270-280, $ 245-256. Bill 66-71 (H.).
Residettt. — Mediterranean Coasts of France and Spain, Italy,
Corsica, Sardinia, Adriatic, Greece, Asia Minor and Cyprus. Rare
on Algerian and N. Moroccan Coasts.
The status of the Shag breeding on W. Coast of Morocco is
still doubtful.
Phalacrocorax pygmaeus (Pallas). Pigmy Cormorant.
Ger. Zwergscharbe ; Ital. Marangone minore.
^ 9 summer, (ilossy greenish black with long white spots ;
middle of back, scapulars, wing coverts and inner secondaries
grey with dark margins ; head reddish brown. Bill, skin round
eye and on throat, legs, and feet black. After the breeding
season throat is white, breast reddish, and white spots are
absent. Wing 200-207. Tarsus 36. Bill 28-31 (H.).
Breeds. — Hungary, Balkan Peninsula, Black Sea, Lower
Volga, Egypt, Algeria (L. Fetzara), and in S.W. Asia. Partly
migratory ; occurs in winter in Greece, Palestine, Egypt and N.W.
Africa. Has occurred occasionally in Europe outside its breeding
range and Greece, e.i^. Russia, Germany, Poland, Switzerland
and Italy.
PBLBCANID-ffi.
Characters as in genus " Pelecanus."
Pelecanus.
Bill peculiar, lower mandible much witler than upper and
with a large pouch ; frequent lakes, rivers, coasts ; feed on
fish ; nest on small islands or platform of reeds in lagoons
or lakes; eggs 23, chalky white.
238 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Pelecanus onocrotalus onocrotalus L. Roseate
Pelican. Fr. Pelican blanc ; Gcr. Pelikan ; Ital. Pellicano.
^ 5 White (rosy tinged in fresh plumage) ; short nuchal
crest (in breeding season) and tuft on chest yellowish ; primaries
black, shafts white. Iris red. Bill bluish grey with pink lines,
throat-pouch yellow, face and sides of frontal protuberance
yellowish. Feathers of forehead end in a point at base of culmen.
Legs and feet pink. Wing $ 700-730, $ 640-680. Tarsus
130-140. Bill ^ 430-450, $ 290-400 (H.). Young: chocolate
brown ; in first summer white, spangled brown.
Breeds. — Lower Danube, Dobrudscha, Black and Caspian Seas,
Sea of Azov ; also in W. Asia, and possibly in E. African lakes.
Occurs on Croatian littoral on passage, and in winter in
Macedonia, Greece, Egypt, and Africa south to Zambesi and
S.W. Asia to India. Has occurred casually in central Europe
to E. Prussia and also in Spain, Algeria, and Scandinavia ;
much more frequently in Austria and regularly in Hungary.
Pelecanus crispus Bruch. Dalmatian Pelican.
^ $ Above greyish white, soft feathers on neck forming a
mane ; primaries black with black shafts ; beneath dull white with a
patch of yellow feathers on breast ; feathers on forehead terminate
in a concave line at base of bill. Iris greyish. Bill blue grey with
red markings at side, pouch yellow ; bare space round eye flesh
coloured. Legs and feet leaden grey. Wing $ 720-800, ^ 680-720.
Tarsus 116-122. Bill $ 400-450, $ 360-380 (H.).
Breeds. — Rumania (on Danube and Delta), N. Bulgaria,
Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Sea of Azov, Volga Delta and
E. Russia to Ufa and Kazan ; also W. and C. i\sia. Of occasional
occurrence in spring in Hungary ; winters in Egypt and S.W.
i\sia to India. Rare visitor Germany, Italy, Sicily, Spain.
SULID^.
Bill straight, long and pointed \ no gular pouch ; oceanic,
feeding on fish caught by plunging; nesting in colonies on
cliffs and islands; eggs white with rough chalky covering.
SULA.
Tail 12 feathers.
TUHINAKKS-l'KOrKLI.AiniDi: 239
Sula bassana bassana (L.). G an net. /v-. Fou de
Babban ; Ger. Dabs Folpcl ; /A//. Sula ; S^ved. Hafsula.
^^ While; crown and najje buff; primaries black; on
top of toes a row of plaleb, continued uj) tarsus in three rows
with reticulations between. Iris yellowish white. Naked skin
round eye, eyelid, and centre of chin pale blue. Bill livid blue
with dark slate lines. Legs and feet greyish black, back of
toes and front of tarsus greenish. Wing 465-500. Tarsus 55-57.
Bill 90-97. Young : first year, above dark brown with white
spots ; beneath buff mottled greyish brown ; the while plumage
is gradually assumed and complete adult dress attained in
fourth year.
Breeds. — Scottish Coasts (several colonies), Ireland (one
colony), Wales (one colony), Faroes, Iceland, and in America
in Gulf of St Lawrence and off S. Newfoundland. In winter
ranges south to Canary Islands, Azores, Madeira, and W. Coast
of Africa, occasional in Mediterranean, rare in Baltic Sea ; on
American Coast south to Gulf of Mexico.
TUBINARES.
Oceanic birds with a superficial resemblance to
Gulls ; feet webbed ; nostrils external and tubular ;
bill hooked ; rarely go ashore except to breed ; nest
in burrows, crevices of cliffs, or under stones or rocks ;
sini^le egg, white, sometimes with faint reddish spots in
a zone near large end ; young hatched blind and covered
with down ; food, small crustaceans, fishes, etc.
PROCELLARIIDJE.
Nostrils united above culmcn ; 2nd primary longest.
Thalassidroma.
Small; plumage black with while at i)asc of tail; iiarcs
in a single tube and separated by membrane; tarsus slightly
longer than middle toe and claw; ist phalanx of middle
toe shorter than the two others combined.
240 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Thalassidroma pelagica (L.). Stormy Petrel. Fr.
Thalassidrome tempcte ; Ger. Sturmschwalbe ; Ital. Uccello
delle tempeste ; Swed. Stormsvala.
(^ ? Above sooty black, rump black ; upper tail coverts
(tipped black), base of tail and sides of under tail coverts white ;
underparts smoky brown ; tail square. Bill, legs and feet black.
Wing 1 16-124. Tarsus 22-24. Bill lo-ii.
Breeds. — Iceland (Westmann Islands), Faroes, Norwegian
Coast, Scotland (Islands of north and west and once Bass
Rock), S. Wales, Scilly Islands, N. and W. Ireland, Brittany,
S.E. Spain (Mar Menor), S. France, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily,
Malta, possibly Crete, Madeira (rare). Occurs in winter in
E. Atlantic, south to W. Africa ; also Baltic and Adriatic Seas ;
rare in Mediterranean east of Malta. Has been reported from
Red Sea, and also east coast of N. America.
OCEANITES.
Tarsus longer than in "Thalassidroma"; ist phalanx of
middle toe as long as next two combined.
Oceanites oceanicus (Kuhl). Wilson's Petrel.
(^ $ Resemble " T. pelagica " but larger, and upper tail
coverts uniform white. Bill, legs and feet black ; basal two
thirds of web between toes yellow. Wing 140-158. Tarsus 32-35.
Bill 12.
Breeds. — Antarctic regions, north to S. Georgia and Kerguelen
Land. At other times found in almost all seas. Rare visitor
to W. European Coast, Canary Islands, Madeira.
OCEANODROMA.
Tarsus less than middle toe with claw ; tail forked.
Oceanodroma leucorrhoa leucorrhoa (Vieillot).
Leach's Fork-tailed Petrel.
^ 2 Sooty brown, tinged above with slate, lateral upper
tail coverts white, some with grey tips. Bill, legs and feet black.
Wing 153-161. Tarsus 24-26. Bill 14-15.
Breeds.— \cQ\2ind (Westmann Islands), Hebrides and Isles
of Mayo and Kerry ; also east coast N. America northwards
■I115INAUKS — PliOClJJ.AlillD.K lM 1
from Maine and in N. Pacific on Aleutian, Kurile and Copper
Islands. Wanders to other seas ; occasionally visits Coasts
of lialtic and North Seas, France, Spain, Portugal and W.
Mediterranean ; also W. African Coast south to Sierra Leone
and Liberia ; Azores, Canaries, and Madeira. Has been reported
from St Paul's Rocks in Mid Atlantic near the Equator and on
the American Coast south to Cape San Roque in Brazil, and
in Pacific from N. Japan.
Oceanodroma castro (Harcourt). Madeikan Fork-
TAiLLij Petrel.
Smaller than " leucorrhoa,"^ blacker; tail less forked, white
at base; upper tail coverts white with black tips. Wing (^ 150-
162, ? 147-159. Tarsus 21-23-5. ^^'^l 13-5-16 (W.).
Breeds. — Desertas and Porto Santo (Madeira group), Salvage
Islands, Azores (Rombos), Cape de Verde Islands and St Helena,
also in Pacific. Rare visitor to Coasts of Britain, France, Canary
Islands, and coasts of N. America. Birds breeding in Hawaiian
Islands and Galapagos Islands have been separated as distinct
subspecies, but their status is still doubtful.
Pelagodroma.
Tarsus and toes very long and tarsus very little longer
than middle toe; tail forked (10-14 ni.m. deep).
Pelagodroma marina hypoleuca (Webb, Berthelot and
Moquin-Tandon).
^ 9 Above greyish brown, rump and upper tail coverts
paler ; forehead, eyebrow and underparts white ; pre-ocular
patch and ear coverts blackish grey, basal part of inner web
of primaries, under wing coverts and axillaries white, liill,
legs and feet black, web between toes yellow with black border.
Wing 153-175 (H.). Tarsus 43-44. Bill 16.
Breeds. — ^Salvage Islands and Cape de Verde Islands. Occurs
occasionally on Coasts of Canary Islands, Madeira and Azores ;
rare on British and N. American Coasts.
The typical form " P. marina marina" occurs in S. Seas.
'J42 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
PUPPINID^.
Nostrils united or nearly so above culmen ; ist primary
longer or not shorter than 2nd.
PUPPINUS.
Medium size ; tarsus laterally compressed, sharp-edged in
front; nostrils in a common tube, ending obliquely in front,
so that open nares are visible from above, and partition
easily seen; 12 tail feathers.
Puffinus puffinus puffinus (Brunnich). Manx Shear-
water. Gcr. Sturmtaucher ; Siucd. Mindre lira.
^ 5 Above dark slaty brown ; beneath white ; axlllaries
white with generally grey subterminal bar, under tail coverts
white with traces of grey. Bill above blackish brown, below
bluish horn. Front of tarsus, inner and middle toes pale rose,
back of tarsus and outer toe black, web of toes light bluish grey.
Wing 228-246. Tarsus 44-45. Bill 32-38.
Breeds. — Iceland (Westmann Islands), Faroes, British Isles
(Shetlands, Orkneys, Hebrides, Coasts Wales and Ireland, Scilly
Islands), France, Desertas and Porto Santo (Madeira), Salvages.?
Canary Islands? Azores? In winter occurs on Baltic and N.
Sea Coasts, also Atlantic Coast N. America.
P. puffinus yelkouan (Acerbi). Levantine Shearwater.
Ital. Berta minore. Browner above, under tail coverts grey
brown mixed with white ; axillaries white with brown tips.
Breeds. — Mediterranean from Sardinia, Malta and Tunisia to
Bosphorus, Syrian and Egyptian Coasts. Not yet known to have
occurred outside these limits.
P. puffinus mauretanicus Lowe. Above browner than
" yelkouan " ; also browner on flanks, axillaries, vent and under
tail coverts ; rest of underparts usually tinged with brown.
Breeds. — Western Mediterranean (limits not yet known
definitely). Occurs casually E. Atlantic and North Sea.
Birds obtained in Britain, formerly considered "yelkouan,"
belong to this race.
rriilNAKKS— I'UFFIMI) i: 213
Puffinus assimilis godmani Allen.
J '+ Above slaty brown ; checks and undcrparts white ;
sides of neck with ^^rey subterminal bars ; under tail coverts
white, with some brown at sides ; axillaries white ; under wing
coverts greyish white, liill black above and at tip, slate colour
at sides and below. Legs and feet slaty blue, outer toe and
outer side of tarsus black. Wing 175-184 (II.). Tarsus 35-38.
Bill 24-27.
Breeds. — Madeira (Desertas and Porto Santo) ; Salvage
Islands, Canary Islands, Azores. Rare visitor to Dritish
Coasts.
The typical form "P. a. assimilis" is Australian.
P. assimilis boydi Matthews. Differs from ''godmani"
through under tail coverts being uniform grey brown.
Breeds. — Cape de Verde Islands. Has occurred once on
English Coasts.
Puffinus gravis (O'Reilly). Great Shearwater.
^ 4? Above dark brown with paler tips except on head,
which is darker ; tips of long upper tail coverts white ; beneath
white, a patch on abdomen and under tail coverts grey brown,
axillaries white with brown tips. Bill yellowish green. Inner
side of tarsus and inner toes yellowish, outer side of tarsus and
outer toe brown. Wing 320-330. Tarsus 58-60. Bill 45-46 (H.).
Breeds. — Tristan d'Acunha Group. Occurs in N. Atlantic
in our summer, from Canaries and Madeira on the east and
Newfoundland on west, north to Iceland, Faroes and Greenland.
Frequent on British Coasts, especially West.
Puffinus kuhli kuhli (Boie). It(d. Berta maggiore.
^ V Above grey brown ; beneath white ; sides of neck
mottled with pale grey bars ; primaries white at base on inner
web and white extends beyond coverts, the outer row dark brown,
liill yellowish horn, with black tip. Legs and feet pale reddish
tlesh, outer side of outer toe and webs brownish. N\ inj^ 335-365
(II.). Tarsus 50-5S. Bill 45-53.
Resident in Mediterranean from Ciibr.ihar lo Asia Minor,
Adriatic and Bosphorus. Rare on N. Fgy[)tian Coast, lias
occurred once in England.
244 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
p. kuhli borealis Cory. Bill larger, thicker, higher and
somewhat longer ; white on bases of inner webs of primaries not
extending beyond coverts. Bill 53-59.
Breeds, — Azores, Madeira, Desertas, Porto Santo, Salvage
Islands, Canary Islands, Occasional visitor to Portuguese and
N. American Coasts. Possibly breeds on Berlengas off W. Coast
of Portugal. Has occurred once in England.
Puilinus griseus (Gmelin). Sooty Shearwater.
^ $ Brown throughout, under wing coverts greyish white
with brown shafts, axillaries brown. Bill dull black with narrow
white line at base above. Inner side of legs and two inner toes
reddish blue, outer side of legs and outer toe black. Wing
293-320. Tarsus 55-60. Bill 42-45 (H.).
Breeds. — Stephen Island, Stewart Island, and Snares Islands off
New Zealand ; has also been reported as breeding in Pescadores
Islands off Formosan Coast. Occurs in our summer in N.
Atlantic, on the European side from Iceland and Scandinavia
south to Portugal, fairly often being seen on British Coasts ; and
on the American side from Gulf of St Lawrence to S. Carolina.
Has occurred widely in S. Seas and also in N. Pacific.
Ptbrodroma.
Tarsus rounded in front; nares as in "Puffinus" but
separated by a very fine partition ; bill shorter and comparatively
higher; 12 tail feathers.
Pterodroma mollis feae (Salvadori).
$ $ Above ashy grey, browner on rump, forehead and
lores white tipped grey ; a black patch in front of and beneath
eye ; beneath white, sides of breast grey, under tail coverts white.
Bill black. Legs and bases of inner and middle toes with their
web pale flesh, outer toe and ends of other toes with outer web
black. Wing 250-273. Tarsus 31-34. Bill 25-29 (H.).
Breeds. — Madeira, Desertas, Porto Santo, and in Cape de
Verde Islands.
The typical form "P. m. mollis" is a S. Atlantic bird, with a
greyish band on upper breast.
TLIUNAiaiS-PUFFINID.K 245
BULWERIA.
Tail wedge-shaped, 12 feathers; nasal tubes fleshy
at the end, openings separate and directed forwards and
u[) wards.
Bulweria bul-weri bulweri (Jardinc and Sclby).
^ 9 Sooty brown throughout, greyish on chin, throat, and
greater wing coverts. liill black. Legs and feet greyish, except
outer toe, which is black like webs. Wing 198-207. Tarsus
27-29 (H.). Bill 22.
Breeds. — Madeira, Desertas, Porto Santo, Salvage Islands,
Canary Islands, Azores, and in several places in N. Pacific
Ocean. Is a rare visitor to W. European Coasts ; obtained five
times in England and once on Greenland Coast.
FULMARUS.
Tail 14 feathers; bill strong, broad; nasal tube high
more than }. length of bill; at base of bill below, a triangular
naked patch.
Pulmarus glacialis glacialis (L.). Fulmar. Ger.
Eissturmvogcl ; Swed. Stormfagel.
^ 9 Appearance Gull-like. Above bluish grey, head, neck,
and underparts white. Bill at base above greyish green, remainder
yellowish, nasal tube olive green. Legs and feet greyish flesh.
Wing 320-342. Tarsus 50-55. Bill 35-43.
Breeds. — Franz Joseph Land, Spitzbergen, Jan Mayen, Bear
Island, Greenland and Arctic America, Iceland, Faroes, N. Coast
of Ireland, Coasts and Islands of Scotland, Yorkshire Coast.
Occurs outside breeding season in N. Atlantic and off W. Coast
of Europe.
Dimorphic forms occur, of various shades of bluish grey, both
above and below. These predominate in Arctic Ocean, from
74° N. and in Greenland and Arctic America, becoming rare
in more southern latitudes, but occasionally occur on Scottish
Coasts.
246 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
PYGOPODES.
Divers and Grebes. Tail very short ; toes lobed
or webbed, outer toe longest, hind toe on higher
level than the others ; tarsus strongly compressed
sideways, sharp edged in front and behind ; legs
set very far back on body.
PODICIPID^.
Characters as in genus " Podiceps."
PODICEPS.
Plumage soft and silky, tail feathers soft and difficult to
tell from surrounding feathers; toes lobed and united at
base by web. Divers ; feeding on fish, frogs, insects, etc. ;
nest large, of aquatic plants and usually floating among reeds ;
eggs white, soon much nest-stained, inner layer of shell green.
Podiceps cristatus cristatus (L.). Great Crested
Grebe. Fr. Grebe huppe ; Ge7\ Grosser Steissfuss ; ItaL Svasso
maggiore ; Swed. Skagg-Dopping.
(^ $ summer. Above dark brown ; carpal coverts, secondaries,
and some scapulars as well as underparts white ; crown and
occipital tufts black ; lores, supercilium, face, and throat white ;
ear coverts and tippet cinnamon merging into black. In winter :
above brown, lores white, underparts white. Iris red with inner
yellow ring. Bill dark brown, reddish along sides and at base
below. Legs and feet greenish externally, greenish yellow on
inner side. Wing 168-195. Tarsus 55-63. Bill 40-47.
Breeds. — British Isles ; Continental Europe from S. Sweden,
S. Finland, and Russia south of L. Onega, south to Mediterranean,
Black Sea, and Caucasus ; Sicily, Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco ;
and widely in Asia. Northern birds migrate, but many winter
in Britain. Chief winter quarters are the Mediterranean Basin
and S. Asia.
PVGOPODRS — PODICIPin.i: 247
Pocliceps griseigena griseigena (r.odclaert). Red-
NFXKKi) (HsKr.K. Fr. Civhe jOu-i^ris ; Gc)\ RothalsiK'cr
Steissfuss ; Ittd. Svasso dal collo rosso ; Sii'cd. rir:istruj)ig-
Dopping.
^ ^ summer. Crown and hind neck black, on each side of
occiput a short tuft ; upper parts black with brown edges ;
foreneck and chest chestnut ; secondaries white ; lores black,
line below eye white ; throat lavender grey, remainder under-
parts white. In winter : upper parts and foreneck brown ;
beneath white ; lores brown and no white line below eye.
Bill black, yellow at base above and below. Legs and feet
black, lobes of toes above buffish, below black. Iris red. Wing
155-185. Tarsus 53-56. Bill 35-45.
Breeds. — Sweden north to 65°, S. Finland, N. Russia to Kola
Peninsula and Archangel, and south through Europe to Caucasus,
Black Sea and Dobrudscha in the east, in the west to Denmark,
Holland and Germany and through Austria and Hungary to
Danube ; also in W. Siberia, Migratory ; occurs in winter in
Mediterranean and N. Africa (Egypt to Morocco) ; also British
Isles, Belgium and France. Rare visitor to Norway ; has
occurred Iceland and Spitsbergen.
The East Asiatic and American race " P. griseigena holboellii"
Reinhardt (a larger bird, wing 185-208, bill 46-54) has occurred
once in Iceland.
Podiceps auritus (L.). Sclavonian Grebe. Fr. Grebe
cornu ; Ger. Ohrensteissfuss ; Ital. Svasso cornuto ; Sioed.
Svarthake-Dopping.
^ $ summer. Above dark brown ; crown, throat and tippet
black ; lores red brown ; from eye to nape a chestnut band,
hinder feathers of which are prolonged into tufts ; foreneck
chestnut ; beneath white, flanks chestnut ; secondaries white.
Bill straight, black, tip and base above bluish, base below red.
Legs and feet dull greyish black. Iris red. Wing 135-150.
Tarsus 44-50. Bill 21-24. In winter: crown down to eye, hind
neck and upper parts dark brown tinged greenish ; underparts
white, foreneck pale grey, a nearly complete collar while.
Breeds. — Norway north to 64°, Finmark, Sweden, Russia
north to 65, east to Urals and Orenburg and south to about
248 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
50° N. ; Baltic Provinces, Denmark, Iceland (abundant), Faroes
(few), N. Scotland (very local) ; also widely in Asia and N. America.
Migratory ; occurs in winter and on passage in Europe south to
Mediterranean ; has occurred Azores ; in Asia ranges south to
24° N., and in America to S. California and Florida.
Podiceps nigricollis nigricollis Brehm. Black-necked
Grebe. Ger. Schwarzhals Steissfuss ; IfaL Svasso piccolo ;
S^ued. Svarthalsad-Dopping.
$ $ summer. Head, neck and upper parts black ; beneath
white, flanks chestnut ; behind eye a tuft of cinnamon feathers ;
secondaries and inner webs of inner primaries white. Bill
slightly upturned, black, reddish at base. Legs and feet outer
side black, inner side pale greenish blue. Iris red with narrow
white inner ring. In winter : crown, face, ear coverts, neck
and upper parts brown. Wing 120-130. Tarsus 42-45. Bill
19-24.
Breeds. — Livonia, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Denmark,
Rumania, Sicily, Spain, Morocco, N. Algeria, Russia south
from about 55° N. ; and widely through Asia and Africa.
Migratory ; occurs in winter in British Isles (where a few pairs
have bred), and generally throughout S. Europe and S. Asia ;
rare visitor to Canaries, Madeira, and Azores.
Podiceps fluviatilis fluviatilis (Tunstall). Little
Grebe. Fr. Castagneux ; Ger-. Zwergsteissfuss ; IfaL Tuffetto ;
Swed. Sma-Dopping.
$ 9 summer. Above brownish black, green tinged, especially
on crown ; beneath white mottled with brown, throat dark
brown, sides of head, ear coverts and foreneck chestnut. In
winter: above brown, beneath white, foreneck and flanks pale
reddish brown. Bill black, yellowish at base. Legs and feet
dull greenish grey. Iris red brown. Wing 97-105. Tarsus
34-38. Bill 18-22.
Breeds. — British Isles ; Continental Europe from S. Sweden,
Livonia and Courland south to Mediterranean ; in Russia from
about 60" N. south to Crimea and Astrakhan ; also Sicily,
Sardinia and N.W. Africa, and in S.W. Asia. Partly migratory ;
does not appear to go farther south than N. Africa.
PVGOPODES— COLYMIUD.K 240
COLYMBIDiE.
Divers; toes united by wcl) ; plumage harder than in
Grebes; tail short but visible; bill long and pointed ; oceanic
in winter, breed on inland lakes; food, fish obtained by
diving; eggs generally 2, placed near water's edge, olivaceous
brown or green blotched with blackish brown.
COLYMBUS.
Characters as above.
Colymbus immer Brunnich. Great Northern Diver.
Fr. Plongeon imbrin ; Ger. Eis-Seetaucher ; Ital. Strolaga
maggiore ; Sioed. Islom.
$ 9 summer. Above black spotted with white, on scapulars
barred ; head, throat and hind neck purplish black, foreneck
green ; a collar of white and black streaks and a row of same
on throat ; underparts white, flanks black with white spots. Bill,
ridge of upper mandible shghtly curved downwards, keel of lower
mandible slightly upcurved, black, whitish at tip. Outer side
of legs and outer toe black, inner side of legs and inner toes
pale grey blue, webs dark brown, paler in middle. Iris dark
red. In winter: brown above with grey margins, beneath white.
Young like adults in winter. Wing 330-390. Tarsus 80-97. Bill
75-90. Tail 18 or 20 feathers.
Jireeds. — Iceland, Jan Mayen, Greenland north to 70° and
across N. America. Seen in most seasons but not breeding in
Norway, Kanin Peninsula and f\aroes. In winter, ranges south
to British Isles and Coasts of W. Europe, Azores, Madeira ; very
rare in Baltic and Black Seas ; occasional in Mediterranean ; in
America ranges south to Lower California and Florida.
Colymbus adamsi Gray. White-iulled Northern
Diver.
r{ 9 Resemble " C. immer " but ridge of upper mandible
straight and keel of lower mandible much curved upwards ;
bill larger and straighter, whitish yellow ; white spots and
bars on back are larger; tail iS feathers. Wing 370-400. Bill
80-95 (H.).
250 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Breeds. — Nova Zembla, Arctic Siberia and western N. America.
Occurs in winter on Coasts N. Russia and N, and W. Norway ;
rare visitor to British Isles, Finland and Sweden ; has occurred
on Caspian Sea and in Italy. On American Pacific Coast ranges
south to S. Alaska and also occurs in Japan.
Colymbus arcticus arcticus L. Black-throated
Diver. F7: Plongeon a gorge noire ; Ger. Polartaucher ; ItaL
Strolaga mezzana ; Swed. Stor-lom.
(J $ summer. Above black or deep brown, barred with
white, wings spotted ; head, throat and hind neck grey ; beneath
white, foreneck purplish black, sides of neck and breast streaked
black and white. In winter much as in " immer " but smaller.
Iris light chestnut. Bill bluish black. Outer side of legs and
outer toe blackish, inner side of legs and inner toes reddish
flesh, webs whitish. Wing ^ 330-342, $ 305-320 (Zedlitz).
Tarsus 73-83. Bill 55-67.
Breeds. — Norway to Finmark, Sweden, Lapland, N. Finland,
Nova Zembla, Waigatz, Kolguev, Russia south to Moscow and
Smolensk, Baltic Provinces, N.E. Germany (rare), N. Scotland.
In winter occurs on Coasts S. and W. Norway, Denmark,
Britain, Holland, France, and rarely Spain and Portugal ;
occasional in Mediterranean, Italy, Rumania and Greece, and
on lakes of S. Russia and in Black Sea.
0. arcticus suschkini (Sarudny). Head and hind neck lighter
than in "arcticus"; bill weaker and shorter. Wing 291-337 (H.).
Breeds. — Govts, of Perm and Ufa in E. Russia, and in
Siberia. Occurs on Caspian Sea in winter.
Colymlbus stellatus Pontoppidan. Red - throated
Diver. Fr. Plongeon catmarin ; Gcr. Nord-Seetaucher ; lial.
Strolaga minore ; Swed. Smalom.
^ $ summer. Above brown with small white spots, head
and sides of throat grey ; hind neck and sides of breast brown
with white streaks ; throat patch chestnut ; underparts white. In
winter entire throat and foreneck white, and head and hind
neck are freckled with white. Bill horn black. Legs and feet
on outer side greenish black, inner toes and inner side of legs
yellowish white, webs pale flesh. Iris chestnut brown. Wing
280-305. Tarsus 68-75. Bill 47-53.
COLUMH.K— COLUMIUD.T: 251
Breeds. — N. Europe from Norway to Russia ; in Russia
south to Perm ; Nova Zeml)la, Spitzl)crt;en, Jan Mayen, Hear
Island, Iceland, Faroes, N. and W. Scotland, Ireland (local) ; and
across N. Asia and N. America. In winter many move south and
occur over Europe to Caspian and Black Seas and Mediterranean ;
occasional in Algeria, rare in Egypt ; in Asia south to China and
in America to California, Maine, and Florida.
COLUMB.E.
Bill thinnest in middle, expanding towards tip, base
covered with soft skin ; food, seeds, beechmast, etc. ;
nests open on branches, or in holes in ground or trees,
or on rocks or buildings ; eggs white or yellowish
white, generally 2, sometimes only i.
COLUMBID^.
Tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw.
COLUMBA.
Tail 12 feathers; upper part tarsus feathered in front.
Columba livia livia (imelin. Rock- Dove. Fr. Colombe
biset ; Ger. Fclsentaube ; Ital. I*iccione selvatico ; Siocd.
Klippdufva.
cJ ^ Blue grey, paler on back and wings, rump white ;
throat, neck and chest metallic green or purple ; two black bars
on wing. Iris orange red. Bill brownish black, whitish at base
above. Legs and feet red. Wing 215-230. Tarsus 27-30.
Bill 17-19.
Resident. — Faroes, Coasts of Ihitish Isles, especially Scotland
and Islands ; Mediterranean Countries and Islands ; Crimea,
Ural Mountains ; N.W. Africa ; also SAV. Asia.
C. livia canariensis Bannerman. Underparts darker grey
than in "livia" and rump greyish white; somewhat smaller.
Wing 207-227 (H.).
Tv'rf/V/dV//. — Canary Islands.
252 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
C. livia schimperi Bonaparte. Grey of back, wings and
undcrparts much paler than in " livia " ; rump white tinged
grey. Smaller. Wing 184-210 (H.).
Resident. — Egypt and Nubia.
Columba oenas oenas L. Stock-Dove. Fr. Colomb ;
Ger. Hohltaube ; ItaL Columbella ; Swed. Skogsdufva.
$ $ Slaty grey ; neck (except fore part) metallic green or purple,
chest vinous ; some black spots on wing coverts and secondaries ;
tail blue grey at base, towards the tip a narrow pale grey bar, with
a dark terminal bar. Iris dark brown. Bill red, yellowish towards
tip and greyish white at base above. Legs and feet pale red.
Wing $ 215-227, $ 210-216. Tarsus 26-27. Bill 17-18.
B7-eeds.—^x\'(\s\\ Isles ; Continental Europe south from S.
Scandinavia, S. Finland, and Russia about 60" N. to Medi-
terranean, Black Sea, and Caucasus ; in Russia east to Urals ;
N.W. Africa; also in W. Asia. Northern birds migrate; becomes
more abundant in N. Mediterranean Countries and N.W. Africa
in winter ; also in Egypt. Resident in British Isles.
Columba palumbus palumbus L. Ring-Dove. Fr,
Colombe ramier ; Ger. Ringeltaube ; ItaL Colombaccio ; Swed.
Ring-dufva.
c^ ? Head, throat, lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts
bluish slate ; sides of neck metallic green or lilac with patch of
creamy white ; back and scapulars greyish brown, outer wing
coverts white, breast vinous, tail black with broad bar of light
grey. Iris pale yellow. Bill red, yellow towards tip, base above
whitish. Legs and feet coral red. Wing 235-253. Tarsus
27-32. Bill 20-21.
Breeds. — British Isles ; Continental Europe generally from
about 64° to the Mediterranean ; and also W. Asia. Northern
birds migrate.
C. palumbus excelsa Bonaparte. White neck patches larger.
Wing 254-270 (H.).
Resident. — Forests of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia. The status
of this form is very doubtful.
C. palumbus maderensis Tschusi. Grey parts darker, back
and scapulars darker and browner. Wing 242-246 (H.).
Resident. — Madeira.
rorrMBl-— COM' M BIDE 253
C. palumbus azorica Hartert. Above darker than "mader-
ensis," deep slate on head, rump, and upper tail coverts, vinous
of breast deeper. Wing 233-250 (H.).
/u's/i/c///.— K. and C. Azores.
Columba trocaz Heineken.
(^ $ Above slaty grey, feathers of neck at sides and behind
with silvery tips ; hind neck and upper back glossed green and
purple, tail black with a blue grey bar ; breast vinous chestnut,
abdomen grey. Irides pale straw. Bill, eye-rim, legs and feet
coral pink. Wing 242-250. Tarsus 35-38. Bill 18-22 (H.).
Resident. — Madeira.
Columba junoniae Hartert. ("C. laurivora" auct.).
c^ $ Above variable grey brown ; crown, throat, and nape
metallic green, hind neck purple, rump -and upper tail coverts
slate ; beneath, breast and abdomen vinous chestnut, tail grey,
paler at tip, and without bar. Wing 205-220. Tarsus 35. Bill
18-20 (H.).
Resident. — Palma, Gomera (Canary Islands).
Columba bollii Godman.
^ $ Greyer above than "junoniic" ; crown slaty, tail black
with broad subterminal slaty grey band ; beneath, throat and fore-
neck slate with green gloss, breast vinous chestnut, abdomen
grey. Iris straw-yellow. Bill, eyelid, legs and feet red. W^ing
210-223. Tarsus 29-30. Bill 20-21 (H.).
Resident. — Tencrife, Palma, and Gomera (Canary Islands).
Streptopelia.
Tail long, 1 2 feathers ; tarsus completely bare.
Streptopelia turtur turtur (L.). Turtle-Dove. Fr.
Tourterelle ; Gr. Turtcltaubc ; Itill,
legs and feet black. Wing 200-205. Tarsus 55-60. Bill 25-27.
Breeds. — S., C, and E. Russia up to about 53° N. ; also in
Siberia. Occurs in Egypt and Caucasus on passage ; winters in
N.E. Africa and India. Rare visitor to W. Europe, casual in
British Isles.
Chettusia leucura (Lichtenstein).
^ $ Crown, throat, foreneck and upper parts brown, tinged
lilac on back and wings, median wing coverts and tail white ;
primaries black, under wing coverts and axillaries white ; beneath,
breast grey, abdomen and under tail coverts buft". Iris red brown,
liill black. Legs and feet yellow. Wing 173-185. Tarsus 64-72.
Bill 28-30 (H.).
Ptreeds. — S.W. Asia. Rare in Egypt on passage; winters N.E.
Africa to India. Very rare visitor to Europe, has occurred in
Russia, S. France, and Malta.
268 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
HOPLOPTERUS.
Bill thin; at bend of wing a pointed curved spur; no
hind toe ; slight crest on head.
Hoplopterus spinosus (L.). Spur-winged Plover.
^ $ Above light brown ; crown, occipital crest, apical half of
tail, centre of throat, breast, upper abdomen, and under surface of
quills blue black ; face, sides of throat, neck, lower abdomen,
under tail coverts, and basal part of tail white. Iris red. Bill,
legs and feet black. Wing 190-202. Tarsus 65-66. Bill 23-25.
Breeds. — Nile Valley, north to Alexandria ; possibly Crete ;
across Africa, south of Sahara ; also in Syria and Cyprus. Of
occasional occurrence in Greece ; rare visitor to Italy and Malta.
Apparently resident.
Arbnaria.
Bill hard, conical, pointed ; tarsus short. Shore birds in-
habiting rocky coasts and nesting among herbage or under shelter
of a stone, near the sea; eggs dull greenish grey, blotched and
spotted with purplish grey and dull or olivaceous brown.
Arenaria interpres interpres (L.). Turnstone. Fj-.
Tournepierre ; Ger. Steinwalzer ; Ital. Voltapietre ; Swed. Roskarl.
^ ? summer. Above black and chestnut ; crown black
streaked white ; forehead, lores, chin, lower back, rump, longer
tail coverts, tips of median wing coverts and secondaries, and
under parts white ; stripe behind the forehead and under the eye,
sides of throat, chest, and shorter upper tail coverts black. Bill
greyish black. Legs and feet orange. In winter, upper parts
dark black brown with pale brown margins, lores and sides of
head brown. Wing i 146-158, ? 1 50-1 59- Tarsus 25-27.
Bill 20-23.
Breeds.— lo-^i'SiW^S. and Greenland, Spitzbergen, Scandinavian
Coasts, Lapland, Finland, Danish Islands (rare), shores of Baltic
and Islands off Baltic Provinces, N. Russia, Kolguev, Dolgoi,
Nova Zembla, and across N. Siberia to Alaska. Migrates ; occurs
on passage and in winter on British and other European Coasts
south to Mediterranean and Egypt, and widely elsewhere, even
through S. Hemisphere to New Zealand. Many remain during
summer in winter quarters, but not breeding.
LIMICOL.E— CHARADiniD/E 269
Bartramia.
Bill straight, shorter than tarsus ; gape deep, reaching
under the eye; tail wedge-shaped.
Bartramia longicauda (iJechstein). Bartram's Sand-
piper.
^ 9 Above dark Ijrown with butf margins, primaries barred
white on inner webs, rump and upper tail coverts black ; chin and
abdomen white, breast and flanks buff with pointed or arrow-shaped
brown markings, under tail coverts buff. Bill black, yellowish at
base. Legs and feet light yellow. Wing 163-180. Tarsus 46-47.
Bill 28-31.
An American breeding species of rare occurrence in Europe.
Recorded Malta, Italy, Germany, Holland, Denmark, and about
twelve times in British Isles.
Tringa.
Bill of variable length, with soft tip; toes free without
membrane; hind toe well developed. Small Waders, inhabit-
ing sea-coast and damp localities inland ; run swiftly, gregarious
except in breeding season; nest a Hned depression; eggs 4,
pyriform, greenish grey or buff or dull dark buff blotched or
spotted with brown.
Tringa ferruginea Brunnich. Curlew Sandpiper. Fr.
Becasseau cocarli ; Ger. Bogenschniibeliger Strandliiufer ; //a/.
Piovanello ; Sived. Spofsniippa.
Adult summer. Above mottled chestnut and black, upper
and under tail coverts white with* black bars ; beneath chestnut
with white edges. In winter, above brownish grey with faint
dark shaft streaks, upper tail coverts all white ; beneath white,
streaked brown on sides of head, throat and chest. Bill decurved,
black. Legs and feet black. Wing $ ? 120-132. Tarsus 28-30.
Bill 32-41. Young : above brown, with white margins ; beneath
white, buff on chest, streaks almost obsolete.
Breeds.— '^o far as is known, shores of E. Siberia, west to
Taimyr Peninsula and Yenisei. Migrates ; occurs on passage
on shores, inland lakes, and river banks of Continental Europe and
270 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
British Isles south to Mediterranean and Islands, Canaries
(occasional) and Asia to China. Winters in Africa from N.W.
Africa and Egypt south to Cape and from S. Asia to Australia.
Tringa alpiiia alpina L. Dunlin. Fr. Becasseau
variable ; Ger, Alpenstrandliiufer ; Ital. Piovanello pancia nera ;
Swed. Kiirrsnappa.
^ $ adult summer. Above black with broad chestnut margins,
inner secondaries mostly white, centre of rump brown, sides
white ; beneath, throat and chest white streaked black, breast
black, abdomen white. Bill slightly decurved, black. Legs and.
feet black. In winter, above grey brown with faint dark shaft
streaks ; beneath dull white faintly streaked pale brown on chest.
Wing ^ 107-118, $ 1 10-121. Tarsus $ 23-26, ? 24-27. Bill
$ 25-30, ? 26-33. Young : above dark brown with narrow
rufous margins, neck washed with buff, breast white striated brown.
Breeds. — Greenland, Spitzbergen, Iceland, Faroes, British
Isles, Continental Europe from Denmark, Holland, and German
Coast, and Russia from Moscow and Perm north to Arctic Coast ;
Islands of Kolguev, Dolgoi, Waigatz, Nova Zembla. Migratory ;
occurs on passage throughout Europe. Many winter in Britain
and S.W. European Coasts ; also Mediterranean Basin ; and on
the east side of Africa south to Mozambique, on the west side
to Canaries and Madeira.
Birds from British Isles, Germany, Holland, and Denmark
have been distinguished as "T. a. schinzi" Brehm by Schioler on
account of darker russet markings on back and less black on breast
than typical northern race, but the distinction seems untenable.
A doubtful race "T. a. pusilla" (Falk) is described as breeding
from the Petchora River eastwards into Siberia. It is somewhat
larger, especially in the bill. Wing averages longer than in
typical form and in ? reaches 125. Tarsus $ 24-26, ? 25-29.
Bill ^ 29-34, ? 30-35. This race occurs in winter in the Eastern
Mediterranean but many come west at that season and it appears
to be in British Isles as plentiful in winter as typical "alpina."
Another race, lighter coloured in summer, " T. a. sakhalina "
(Vieillot) breeds in N.E. Siberia and N. America. It is distinctly
larger. Bill ^ 31-36, ? 34-42 (H.) and has occurred at Fair
Isle and probably elsewhere in Europe.
LIMICOL i:— CIIAUADKIIDJ: 271
Tringa minuta Lclsler. Little Stint. Gcr. Zwcrgstrand-
liiufcr ; I/dl. Gainbccchio ; S:uc(i. Smasniippa.
^ 9 summer. Above black with broad chest mil margins and
some white tips, inner primaries with while shafts, outer tail
feathers smoky brown ; beneath white, chest greyish with
chestnut and brown spots. Bill short, narrow, black. Legs and
feet black. In winter : above grey brown with dark shaft streaks ;
beneath white. Wing ^ 92-98, ? 96-101. Tarsus ^ 20-21,
$ 20-23. liill c^ 16-19, ? 18-19.
/j/vtv/y.— Finmark (Porsanger Fiord), N. Russian tundras from
Murmansk to Petchora, and on Nova Zembla, Waigatz, Dolgoi
and Kolguev Islands ; also locally in N. Russia south to Govts,
of Moscow, Jaroslav, Perm, and Uralsk ; and in W. Siberia.
Migrates ; occurs on passage in Britain and Continental Europe
to Mediterranean, and Asia south to Turkestan. Winters in
S.W. Asia and Africa south to Cape. It often remains in winter
quarters during our summer, but does not breed.
Tringa minutilla Vieillot. American Stint.
o '4^ Resemble "minuta" but legs slightly paler, more grey
brown, breast somewhat more spotted and black centres of
feathers of upper parts slightly more developed, while chestnut
margins are narrower. In winter distinguished from "minuta"
by dusky shaft-streaks on upper breast. Wing ^ $ 8890.
Tarsus 17-19. Bill 16.5-19.
A North American species of rare occurrence in Euro})e.
Recorded SAV. England four times.
Tringa temmincki Leisler. TeimiMinck's Stint. Gcr.
Grauer Zwergstrandlaufer ; I^dl. Gambecchio nano ; Siucd.
Mosniippa.
^ 9 adult, summer. Aljove black and grey mottled, with rufous
edges and a bronzy shade, rump uniform dark brown, outer tail
feathers pure white, shaft of ist primary only while ; beneath white,
foreneck and chest greyish buffwith dark brown streaks. Bill black,
olive brown at base below. Legs and feet olive yellow to olive
blown. In winter, above grey brown with dark streaks ; beneath
white, foreneck and chest greyish brown. Wing^^ '4? 97-100. 'Jarsus
17-19. Bill 16-18. Young: above more bronzy and less black than
summer adult, with buff edges and no streaks on foreneck.
272 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Breeds. — S. Norway Mountains (occasional), N. Norway to
Finmark, Lapland, N. Finland, tundras of N. Russia south to
about 60° N., Islands of Kolguev, Dolgoi, and Waigatz ; and across
N. Siberia. Migrates ; occurs on passage in British Isles (not
common), and Continental Europe south to Mediterranean.
Winters in extreme south of Europe, N.W. Africa, Egypt, and
Africa south to White Nile ; also S. Asia.
Tringa maculata Vieillot. Pectoral Sandpiper.
(J 5 adult. Above blackish brown, with chestnut margins on
crown and reddish buff on remainder upper parts, secondaries
with very narrow white edges ; central upper tail coverts black,
outer white ; central tail feathers black brown, pointed and about
10 m.m. longer than the others, which have rounded tips ; behind
eye an indistinct white patch ; beneath white, brownish on chest
with black bases to feathers and dark shaft streaks. Bill greenish
black. Legs and feet yellow brown. Wing 130-142. Tarsus
28-31. Bill 25-29. Young are more chestnut ; chest reddish buff,
streaked brown.
Breeds. — Arctic America and E. Siberia. An occasional
visitor to British Isles.
Tringa acuminata (Horsfield). Siberian Pectoral
Sandpiper.
Adult resembles " maculata '' but all tail feathers are pointed ;
rather more chestnut on upper parts ; beneath white, chest rufous
tinged and with no shaft streaks but with angular spots. Bill
brownish black. Legs and feet brownish yellow. Winged 135-142,
$ 125-131. Tarsus $ 29-5-31 (H.). Young: more chestnut
above, throat white, chest reddish buff with white margins, sides
of foreneck streaked and behind eye a white patch.
Breeds. — E. Siberia. Of very rare occurrence in Britain (twice
in England).
Tringa bairdi (Coues). Baird's Sandpiper.
Is a miniature "maculata" in all stages; two central pairs
of tail feathers somewhat longer than the others, upper tail
coverts chiefly black with brown edges, only white at sides.
Bill black. Legs and feet slaty black. Wing $ $ 123-129.
Tarsus 22-25. I^ill 21-23.
Breeds. — Arctic America. Has occurred rarely in British Isles.
LiMICOL.i: -( lIAli ADKIID.K 27^
Tringa fusoicoUis V'ieillot. Bonaparte's Sandpiper.
Resembles "T. bairdi "' but upper tail coverts all white with
brown streaks, only occasionally a black feather present, liill
generally longer and stronger, black. Legs and feet dusky
greenish. Wing (^ $ 1 19-124. Tarsus 23-25. Bill 21-26.
Breeds. — Arctic America. Has occurred at times in British
Isles ; and once obtained Franz Joseph Land.
Tringa canutus canutus L. Knot. Fr. Maubeche ;
Ger. Islandischer Strandlaufer ; Ital. Piovanello maggiore ;
Siued. Kustsniippa.
$ 9 adult, summer. Above black, variegated with red buff ;
upper tail coverts white with black bars ; beneath chestnut, under
tail coverts white with a few brown spots ; tail square, central
feathers not prolonged. In winter : above grey brown with faint
dark shaft streaks ; beneath white barred grey on breast and
flanks. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing $ 9 158-172. Tarsus
28-33. Bill 28-34. Young have crescentic dark margins and
white tips on upper parts.
Breeds. — Iceland (doubtful), Greenland, Taimyr Peninsula,
New Siberian Islands. Migrates ; occurs on passage in Europe,
chiefly west. Winters in British Isles, Holland, Belgium, France,
Portugal, Sardinia, Sicily, N.W. Africa and Africa to Cape; also
S. Asia and Australia. Rare visitor to Egypt, Madeira, and
Azores.
The Greenland breeding birds may belong to the American
race "T. canutus rufa."
Tringa maritima maritima Brunnich. Purple Sand-
piper. /'>. Becasseau violet ; Ger. Seestrandlaufer ; Siued.
Skarsnappa.
^ 9 adult, summer. Above black with some chestnut tips
and margins, rump and upper tail coverts black, central tail
feathers longer than lateral by about 9 m.m. ; beneath dull white
spotted and streaked brown ; inner secondaries almost entirely
white. In winter: above dark brown with purple gloss ; beneath,
throat and chest grey brown, remainder white, with grey centres
on breast and flanks. Bill brownish black, yellowish at base.
Legs and feet brownish yellow. Wing J 119-132, $ 122-137.
Tarsus 21-25. l^'^' -^-j5-
S
I'll BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Breeds. — Faroes, Iceland. Greenland, Spitzbergen, Norway,
Finmark south to about 63'. Sweden Jemtland., N. Russia and
most of Arctic Islands, and in Siberia and Arctic America.
Migrates, but many remain in north. Winters in British Isles,
Denmark, Holland, Germany, Hungary, France, Asia Minor
(rare), Spain and Portugal not common). Has occurred in
Morocco and Azores ; on American Coast winters south to
Florida.
El&EUITBTSS.
Like "Tringa" but front toes united by web almost
to middle,
Sreunetes pusiUus pusillus. Semi-Palmated Sand-
piper.
f* 2 Above greyish brown, with black centres to feathers
and some chestnut margins ; underparts white, spotted dark
brown on throat and sides of breast. BiU black. Legs and
feet slate colour, ^^"ing ^ 91-995 2 95-101. Tarsus 19-5-21.
BiU r" 1^22, 2 18-23 '^^'
Breeds. — Arctic America, Winters from S. United States to
Patagonia- Has occurred once in England.
Machetes.
Bill in both sexes covered at base with short feathers.
Male develops nifif in breeding plumage, and forehead, lores,
and sides of head become featherless and covered with warty
excrescences.
Machetes pugnax .L.'. ^ Ruff, 2 Reeve. />. Com-
battant ; Ger. Kampfhahn ; Ital. Combattente ; Sn'cd. Brushane.
r^ adult- Above dark brown with paler rufous margins ;
beneath, foreneck and breast grey brown with half-concealed dark
markings (sometimes entire underparts grey brown), abdomen
and chin white, axillaries white, (In breeding season the face is
bare and covered with yellow tubercles ; and there is a tuft of
coloured feathers on either side of head and a large ruff on the
neck and upper breast (May and June), colours variable, hardly
two alike.) 2 resembles ^ but more mottled with black
feathers above. Bill blackish brown, flesh coloured at base.
LIMICOL.t— CHARADRIID.K i'To
Legs and feet yellowish brown. Wing ^ i77'i(jO, I 145-160,
Tarsus ^ 47-50, 9 39-45. Bill ^ 34-36, $ 27-33. Young are
more chestnut on upper parts.
Breeds. — Scandinavia, Russian Lapland, Kolguev, Waigatz, in
Russia south to Orenburg, Lower Don and Bessarabia, Galicia,
Hungary, N. Germany, Denmark, Holland, Belgium and N.
France ; also in W. Siberia. Migrates ; occurs on passage all
over Europe and British Isles (where it sometimes breeds).
Winters in south, in Africa, Asia, and eastern N. America.
Tryngites.
Bill straight, hard, shorter than tarsus , middle pair tail
feathers longer than remainder.
Tryngites subrtificollis Vieillot). Buff-breasted
Sandpiper.
Resembles a small Reeve ; can be recognised at all ages by
the peculiar black mottling of inner webs of quills and under
primary coverts and by the underparts and lower carpal coverts
being reddish buff; axillaries white. Bill greenish black. Legs
and feet brownish yellow. Wing ^ 1 28- 135, $ 126-132. Tarsus
31-32. Bill 19-20.
Breeds. — Arctic America. Of rare occurrence in Europe,
recorded British Isles, Heligoland.
Calldris.
Like " Tringa " but has no hind toe.
Calidris arenaria ,L.;. Sanderling. />. and Ger.
Sanderling ; SzL-ed. Sandlopare.
S 9 adult, summer. Above black with cinnamon margins
and tips, tips and margins of median wing coverts white ; under-
parts white, throat and chest cinnamon spotted with brovMi In
winter : above pale grey brown with faint dark streaks, forehead,
face, and underparts pure white. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing
S 11S-127, 9 119- 1 3 r. Tarsus 23-26. Bill 22-27. Voung in
autumn are black above with huffish white edges and tips and
have a brownish spot in front of eye ; underparts white, tinged
rusty on breast.
276 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Breeds. — Greenland, Arctic America, N. Siberia, Spitz-
bergen, Iceland (doubtful). Occurs in all parts of Europe
and X. Africa on migration, which extends far into S.
Hemisphere, but also occurs in winter on British Coasts and
Coasts of W. Europe and Mediterranean.
LiMICOLA.
Bill long, flat, and wide ; hind toe small : small Waders,
inhabit inland lakes and marshes rather than sea-coast.
Limicola falcinellus falcinellus Pontoppidan). Broad-
billed Sandpiper. S^.ucd. Myrsnappa.
(J $ summer. Above black, with narrow chestnut or buff
margins : beneath white, spotted brown on chin, throat, foreneck,
and chest ; axillaries white. In winter : above grey, with dark
centres and white margins : beneath white slightly spotted on
foreneck. Bill reddish brown with black tip. Legs and feet
greyish black. Wing 105-IJO. Tarsus 23. Bill 35.
Breeds. — Norway to Dovrefeld, and Sweden to about middle,
Lapland, Finland, N. Russia, and in Ural district ; also in
Siberia. Occurs in winter in Eastern Mediterranean ; rare in
W. Europe, even on passage. Casual in British Isles.
Macrorhamphus.
Bill like a Snipe's ; ear opening as in Snipe, almost under
eye; tarsus shorter than bill; hind toe present; web between
bases of middle and outer toes well marked, very small between
middle and inner toes.
Macrorhamphus griseus griseus Gmelin). Red-
breasted Snipe.
^ $ summer, .-\bove dark brown with rufous edges and bars,
lower back, rump and upper tail coverts white with brown spots ;
tail dark brown barred white ; beneath reddish buff, margins
paler, with black spots and bars ; under wing coverts and
axillaries white, barred brown. In winter, above grey brown ;
beneath white, flanks barred brown, sides of throat and upper
breast brownish grey ; white throat and bicoloured upper tail
LIMICOL.E— CHARADRIID/E 277
coverts distinguish it at all ages. Wing 142-150. Tarsus 33-37.
Bill.<^ 55-57, ? 57-61 (H.).
A North American bird ; occasional in W. Europe, has
occurred in British Isles, France and Denmark.
Tot ANUS.
Waders ; outer and middle toes united by web at base
(inner and middle also in Redshank); bill hard, long, and
straight (occasionally slightly bent upwards); wing long and
pointed; frequent sea-coasts on passage and in winter; breed
inland, nest (with few exceptions) on ground, usually near
water ; eggs 4, variable, greenish, ochreous buff or dull stone
grey blotched with pale purplish grey and brown of various
shades.
Tetanus fuscus (L.). Dusky Redshank. Fr. Chevalier
brun ; Ger. Dunkler Wasserliiufer ; Ital. Gambetta fosca ; Si^'cd.
Svartsnappa.
$ $ summer. Sooty black, spotted and barred white on upper
parts, eyelids white, lower back and rump white, secondaries
white, barred grey ; beneath more or less barred and mottled
white, tail and tail coverts (above and below) barred white, under
wing coverts and axillaries white. In winter : above grey brown,
wing with white margins ; beneath white, greyish on foreneck. Bill
black, reddish at base below. Legs and feet dark purple red
(summer), more orange red (winter). Wing 152-167. Tarsus
55-60. Bill 54-60. Young : above darker than winter adult,
underparts grey brown barred and mottled white.
Breeds. — N. Europe, chiefly above Arctic Circle, but in Russia
south to about Moscow ; also across N. Asia. Occurs on
passage over Europe, but rare in Britain. Winters in S. Europe
and Asia, and Africa south to Cape.
Totanus to tanus tetanus L.). Redshank. />. Chevalier
Garnbette ; Go: Rotschenkel ; Ital. Pettegola ; SiL'cd. Rodbent-
snappa.
$ 9 summer. Above brown with dark shaft streaks and
some bars ; lower back and rump white, secondaries white ;
tail white barred brown ; beneath, white spotted and streaked
278 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
brown, axillarics white. In winter : above uniform brown ; beneath
greyer and streaks less pronounced. Iiill (summer) black, reddish
at base, (winter) black brown, base orange yellow. Legs and
feet (summer) orange red, (winter) orange yellow. Wing 150-160.
Tarsus 44-48. Bill 39-43. ? usually the larger.
Breeds. — British Isles, and Continental Europe south from
N. Norway ; Morocco ; also in W. Asia. Winters on Norwegian
Coasts (few), British Coasts (many), but majority in south of
Europe and through Africa to Cape Colony.
T. totanus robustus Schioler.
Larger than "totanus," with stronger but not longer bill and
legs and longer wing ; in spring fore part of breast and sides
very strongly spotted. Wing $ ? 160-169. Bill 39-44.
Breeds. — Iceland and probably Faroes. Some winter there,
but majority migrate and winter in British Isles and reach even
to Morocco.
Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin). Greater Yellow-
shank.
(^ $ In size and appearance resemble " T. nebularius" but
legs longer and yellow and bill very slightly bent upwards.
Wing 188-202. Tarsus 58-65. Bill 55-57.
An American species ; has occurred very rarely in England.
Totanus flavipes (Gmelin). Yellowshank.
^ ? Resemble "T. glareola" but larger, with brown lower
back ; upper tail coverts white with some dark bars, axillaries
white with faint brownish bars. Legs and feet yellow. Wing
156-170. Tarsus 48-58. Bill 35-43-
Also an American species ; has occurred six times in British
Isles.
Totanus stagnatilis Bechstein. Marsh Sandpiper.
Gcr. Teichwasserlaufer ; Ital Albastrello.
^ $ summer. Above buff brown, with diagonal dark bars and
streaks ; lower back and rump white, upper tail coverts mostly
white ; tail feathers white, central pair barred black, remainder
mottled brown on outer edge ; secondaries grey brown ; beneath
white, with black spots on throat, chest and flanks ; under
wing coverts and axillaries white. Bill black. Legs and feet
IJMICOL.E— CHARADRIID.>: 279
yellowish j^nTcn. In winter, above li,i;lu brown with narrow dark
shaft streaks ; below white, sli^Muly spotted black on foreneck.
Winj,^ 1 35- 147- Tarsus 53- 5S. IJill lonij and thin, 40-4^.
? generally the larger.
Breeds. — S.E. Europe, Hungary, Rumania and S. Russia up
to Perm ; and in Siberia. Migrates ; winters Africa, S. Asia and
Australia. Accidental in \V. Europe, including British Isles.
Totanus nebularius ((.unnerus). Greenshank. Fr.
ChevaUer gris ; iicr. Grunschenkel ; Ital. Pantana ; Swed.
Gluttsniippa.
(^ 5 summer. Grey brown, head and neck streaked dark
brown, many feathers of back and scapulars all or partly black ;
rump and shorter upper tail coverts white, longer tail coverts and
tail white with brown bars ; beneath white, throat and breast
spotted black, flanks barred. In winter, no black feathers on
upper parts or spots on chest. Bill slightly recurved, black, bluish
grey at base. Legs and feet greenish. Wing 180-190. Tarsus
54-66. Bill 53-57.
Breeds. — N. Europe, from Highlands of Scotland to Norway,
Sweden, and Russia as far south as Ufa, and across N. Asia.
Occurs on passage throughout Europe and Asia. Winters south
in Africa to Cape Colony, and in the east as far as Australia
and New Zealand ; a few remain in Europe, including Britain.
Totanus ochropus (L.). Green Sandpiper. Fr. Cheva-
lier cul-blanc ; Gcr. Waldwasserlaufer ; Ital. Culbianco ; Su'ed.
Skoggsniippa.
$ 9 summer. Above brown, tinged oily green, streaked on
head and upper neck and spotted on back and wings with white ;
shaft of I St primary brown ; lower rumj), upj^er tail coverts and
tail white, middle tail feathers with broad brown bars ; under
parts white, throat and upper breast streaked dark brown, axil-
laries dark brown barred diagonally white, liill dark olive green,
tipped black. Legs and feet bluish olive green. In winter, spots
on upper parts are faint or absent. Wing 137-147. 9 usually the
larger. Tarsus 33-37. P. ill 33-36.
Breeds. — N. Europe and Asia, north of a line from Denmark
through Germany, liohemia, Galicia, across Russia to Trans-
caspia and Turkestan ; not in Britain. Winters in Britain (few).
280 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Mediterranean Countries, Africa and S. Asia. This bird lays
its eggs in old nests of Thrushes, Pigeons, etc., in trees in
swampy places.
Totanus solitarius solitarius (Wilson). Solitary
Sandpiper.
(^5 Resemble "T. ochropus" and have the shaft of ist
primary brown, but central upper tail coverts and central, tail
feathers are like the upper parts, the others being broadly barred
brown and white, and white bars on axillaries are broader.
Wing 128-134. Tarsus 31-32. Bill 30-31. Nesting habits are
like those of "ochropus."
An American species, rare in Europe ; six have been recorded,
all in Britain.
Totanus glareola (L.). Wood Sandpiper. Ger. Bruch-
wasserlaufer ; Ital. Piro-piro boschereccio ; Swed. Gronbena.
^ $ summer. Resemble "T. ochropus," but upper tail
coverts show a few brown marks or spots and white on rump
is much narrower ; tail white with narrow brown bars ; lower
back is like mantle, axillaries and under wing coverts white with
few pale brown bars ; shaft of ist primary white. In winter, no
white spots on upper parts, throat grey brown without spots.
Bill black, greyish at base below. Legs and feet pale olive
green. Winged 119-127, ? 121-130. Tarsus 34-39. Bill 25-30.
Breeds. — Europe north of a line from N. France across to
Urals, and across N. Asia ; once or twice in Britain. Occurs
throughout S. Europe on passage ; occasional British Isles ;
winters in Africa, S. Asia, Australia. Nests usually on ground,
but recorded by Popham as nesting in trees like " ochropus."
Totanus incanus brevipes Vieillot.
$ ^ summer. Above uniform brownish grey ; beneath white
with wavy bars of grey on sides of head, neck, chest and flanks.
In winter, chin and abdomen are white, and breast is grey
without bars. Bill black, yellowish at base below. Legs and
feet ochre yellow. Wing 157-168. Tarsus 32-35. Bill 36-40 (H.).
An Asiatic form of "T. i. incanus," which breeds in
Alaska. Of very rare occurrence in Europe, twice obtained in
England.
LiMir()L.i:-rnARA]:)Uiin.K 2R1
Totanus hypoleucus (L.). Common Sandpipkr. Fr.
( "licxalicr guigncUe ; L'lcr. Klussuferliiiifer ; Ital. Piro-piro piccolo.
Siticd I)rillsn;ipi)a.
$ 9 summer. Above bronzy olive brown, with dark shaft
streaks and bars, no white on rump or upper tail coverts ; inner
secondaries mostly white, primaries with a patch of white on
inner web, greater and median wing coverts with white tips ;
beneath white, sides of breast brown with darker streaks, axillaries
white ; tail rounded. In winter dark streaks are absent above,
and also marks on sides of breast. Bill dark brown, lighter
at base below. Legs and feet yellowish brown. Wing 102- 115.
Tarsus 23-26. Bill 22-27.
Breeds. — British Isles, Europe south to N. vSpain and Portugal
and N. Italy, probably N. Africa (Morocco to Tunis) ; also
N. Asia. Winters throughout Africa, and S. Asia to Australia.
Found by Van Someren nesting in Uganda.
Tetanus macularius (L.). Spotted Sandpiper.
(^9 Resemble "hypoleucus" but inner secondaries brown
with white bases and tips ; in summer underparts have large
brown spots, which are absent in winter, when chest is ashy grey.
Wing 98-1 10. Tarsus 24-26. Bill 22-25.
A North American species ; occasional in Europe. Casual
in British Isles.
Terekia.
Bill strongly recurved and longer than tarsus ; outer and inner
toes are united by meml)rane at their bases to middle toe.
Terekia cinerea (Giildenstadt). Terek Sandpiper.
(J $ adult, summer. Above grey brown with dark streaks and
blotches ; secondaries mostly white ; no white on rump ; beneath
white with dark streaks on throat, foreneck, and chest ; axillaries
white. In winter, dark streaks both above and below are very
fainl. Bill brownish black, yellowish at base. Legs and feet
yellow. Wing 128-136. Tarsus 29-30. Bill 41-50.
Breeds. — Islands Gulf of Bothnia, Finland, N. Russia down to
Orenburg and Samara ; also across Siberia. Occurs E. Europe
on passage ; winters Africa and from S. Asia to Australia. Of
rare occurrence in W. Europe, seven times obtained in England.
282 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Phalaropus.
Toes half webbed, lobed as in Grebes. Aquatic, frequent
sea-coasts and occasionally inland waters ; good swimmers ;
nest on ground; eggs 4. ? larger than (^ and latter
incubates.
Phalaropus fulicarius (L.). Grey Phalarope. Fr.
Phalarope gris ; Ger. Plattschnabliger Wassertreter ; Ital.
Falaropo rosso ; Swed. Brednabbad Simsniippa.
$ summer. Crown black ; upper parts black with buff
margins ; wing coverts grey, greater tipped white ; upper tail
coverts chestnut, streaked brown ; beneath vinous chestnut,
sides of head white, chin slaty. Bill strong and broad, dark
yellow, tipped dark brown. Legs and feet pale bluish green,
lobes mostly and inside of tarsus partly yellow. Wing 128-142.
Tarsus 21-24. I^iH 20-22. (^ duller, sides of head red brown,
crown streaked rufous. Wing 126-135. (^ $ winter: upper parts
blue grey, nape, hind neck and some feathers upper parts black ;
beneath white.
Breeds. — Circumpolar ; Iceland, Spitzbergen, Nova Zembla,
and possibly Kolguev, and in N. Asia and Arctic America to
Greenland. Migrates ; occurs on passage and in winter in
Europe, seen chiefly on coasts or at sea as far as Liberia in
Eastern Atlantic ; frequent E. Asia, rare India ; also found W.
Atlantic and Pacific Coasts.
The Spitzbergen breeding bird has been separated as " P. f.
jourdaini," on account of paler and narrower margins to feathers of
upper parts in summer ; further confirmation appears necessary.
Phalaropus lobatus (L.). Red-necked Phalarope. Fr.
Phalarope cendre ; Ger. Schmalschnabliger Wassertreter ; Swed.
SmalnJibbad Simsnappa.
$ summer. Upper parts and sides of breast blue slate,
streaked rufous on back ; collar chestnut ; underparts white.
Bill slender and narrow, black. Legs and feet grey blue. Wing
1 14- 1 19. Tarsus 22-24. PiU 21-23. $ Crown and upper parts
dark brown streaked chestnut. Wing 105-115. Tarsus 19-21.
^ 9 winter : above grey with white tips, forehead and underparts
white.
I.IMICOL.K— CHAH ADHIID.K 283
Breeds. — Ireland (very rare), Scottish Islands, Iceland, Faroes,
Scandinavia, Russia south to Perm ; also N. Asia and N. America.
Occurs on passat^e throu^diout Europe. Winters in Mediterranean
Countries, S. Asia and C. and S. America ; more often found inland
than Grey Phalarope.
HiMANTOPUS.
\\\\\ Straight ; legs very long ; outer and middle toes united
at i)ase by membrane, inner and middle very slightly; no
hind toe; gregarious; 4 eggs, in depression on dry mud or
on herbage in swamps, are like Avocets'.
Himantopus himantopvis liimantopus (L.). Black-
winc.et:) Stii.t. Fr. Ikhasse blanche ; Gcr. Stelzenlaufer ; Ital.
Cavalier d'ltalia.
^ Back, scapulars and wings dark greenish black, tail pale
grey, rest of plumage white. Bill black. Legs and feet pink.
Irides carmine. Wing 230-250. Tarsus 120-141. Naked part of
tibia 80-95. Bill 61-70. $ back and scapulars brown. Wing
218-236. Tarsus 109-116. Young: crown and hind neck grey,
upper parts brown with rusty margins, secondaries and inner
primaries with white tips.
Breeds. — S. France, Portugal and Spain, Sicily, Dalmatia,
Rumania, Turkey, Hungary, and S. Russia ; exceptionally
Holland and Belgium ; also Africa and Asia east to China.
Migratory ; winters in Africa and S, Asia. Has occurred fairly
often in European Countries outside breeding range, occasional
in Ihitish Isles.
Recurvirostra.
Bill long, slender, recurved: legs long, feet webbed;
inhaljit shores of lagoons and marshy places; grecjarious,
especially in winter; legs extended in flight; eggs, 3 or 4,
warm stone ochreous spotted and blotched with blackish.
Recurvirostra avosetta avosetta L. Avockt. Fr.
Avocette ; Ger. Siibelschnabel ; Ital. Avocetta ; S^ced. Skarflacka.
$ 9 Forehead, crown, and neck brownish black ; shoulders,
primaries and most of upper tail coverts black, rest of plumage
284 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
white. Iris reddish brown. Bill black. Legs and feet grey blue.
Wing 220-235. Tarsus 84-90. Naked tibia 50-57. Bill 84-9 r (H.).
In young black is replaced by brown.
Breeds. — Holland, Denmark, N. Shores of Mediterranean and
Black Seas, proba])ly Algeria and Morocco ; also throughout
Africa and C. Asia. Winters India and Africa, as well as in
Mediterranean Basin. Of irregular occurrence on passage in
British Isles, where it formerly nested.
LiMOSA.
Bill long, slightly recurved towards tip; toes webbed
at base; frequent coasts or inland marshes; gregarious;
eggs 4, pyriform, in depression, dull greenish indistinctly
blotched with brown and olivaceous.
Limosa lapponica lapponica (L.). Bar-tailed Godwit.
Fr. Barge rousse ; Ger. Rostrote Uferschnepfe ; Ital. Pittima
minore ; Sived. Myrspofv.
(^ $ summer. Head and hind neck chestnut, streaked brown,
back and scapulars dark brown with chestnut streaks ; lower
back and rump white, sometimes with few brown marks ; upper
tail coverts white with brown bars ; wing coverts and quills with
white margins ; tail barred white and brown ; beneath chestnut,
under wing coverts and axillaries white barred brown. Iris
brown. Bill black, flesh colour at base. Legs and feet black.
Wing 210-226. Tarsus 50-57. Bill 76-106. In winter: above
dark brown with paler margins ; beneath white, pale buffy brown
on foreneck and chest with darker shaft streaks ; in $ and
young, tail beneath distinctly barred brown and white ; in $ tail
grey brown irregularly barred or marked with white.
Breeds. — N. Scandinavia, Finland, N. Russia ; also N. Asia.
Winters on Atlantic Coasts from Britain south to Senegal,
Mediterranean Basin, and in W. Asia and N.E. Africa.
Limosa limosa limosa (L.). Black-tailed Godwit.
Fr. Barge a queue noire ; Ger. Schwarzschwanzige Uferschnepfe ;
Ital. Pittima ; Sived. Rodspof
^ $ summer. Above not unlike "lapponica" but lower back
uniform brown, upper tail coverts white and tail black, both without
LIMICOL.i:— C'lIAIlADIIIII) i: 285
bars, much more white on wing coverts and quills ; beneath rufous
clay colour, barred black on breast ; abdomen white. (^ Wing
202-2I2. Tarsus 73-83. Bill 80-110. ? larger. Wing 217-230.
Tarsus 85-93. Bill to 126 (H.). In winter: above uniform grey
brown, also throat and foreneck below, rest of underparts white.
Young are like winter adults, but darker brown above, with rufous
margins.
Breeds. — ^Iceland, Faroes, Belgium, Holland, Baltic Countries,
Poland, Hungary, S. Russia north to Moscow, also W. Siberia.
Wmters British Isles (few), Mediterranean, N. Africa and W. Asia.
NUMENIUS.
Bill very long and much decurved; legs long, slender,
toes webbed at base ; frequent moors and uplands in
breeding season, chiefly coasts in winter; nest in depression
in ground, eggs 4, pyriform, pale or dull olivaceous grey
spotted and blotched with dark or light purplish brown.
Numenius arquatus arquatus (L.). Curlew. Fr.
Courlis ; Ger. Grosser Brachvogel ; Ital. Chiurlo ; Swed. Storspof.
$ $ Above dark brown with paler margins, almost white on
wing coverts and crown ; beneath paler brown streaked dark
brown ; lower back and rump while, streaked brown in some,
upper tail coverts and tail white with brown bars ; axillaries
white barred brown. Bill black, reddish at base below. Legs and
feet bluish grey. Wing 290-318. Tarsus 78-82. Bill 1 13-132.
Breeds. — Across Europe from IJritish Isles (rare in S. England)
and Belgium to Switzerland, Austria, Dobrudscha and Perm
in Russia north almost to Arctic Circle. Winters throughout
C. and S. Europe and Africa ; and in east to Persian Gulf.
Occasional visitor to Iceland, Faroes, Azores, Madeira, Canaries.
N. arquatus lineatus Cuvier. Feather edges of upper parts
lighter ; streaks on underparts narrower ; axillaries pure white
or white with dark shaft streaks near tip. Bill sometimes much
longer, even to 184 (H.).
/>Vr^//y. — Siberia, but limits to west not yet defined. Migrates ;
occurs at Orenburg (E. Russia) on passage ; winters in S. Asia
and Isles of Indian Ocean south to Madagascar; has occurred
in Abysiinia and even in W. Africa in winter.
286 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Numenius tenuirostris Vieillot. Slender - billed
Curlew.
(^ $ Much like "arquatus"'biit smaller; crown pale brown
streaked dark brown, lower back, rump, and upper tail coverts
white, last with a few brown streaks ; axillaries white ; large
brownish black pear-shaped spots on sides of breast. Bill brown^
flesh coloured below at base. Legs and feet leaden-grey. Wing
250-258. Tarsus 64-69. Bill 75-89. $ generally the larger (H.).
Breeds. — W. Siberia. Winters in Mediterranean Basin west
to Spain, south to Khartoum. Rare in Central Europe. Has
occurred west to Holland, Belgium, France, and England.
Numenius phaeopus phseopus L. Whimbrel. Ger.
Regen-brachvogel ; Ital. Chiurletto ; Swed. Smaspofv.
(^9 Smaller than "arquatus"; crown not streaked, but
dark brown with central buff stripe ; eyebrow broad, white
with fine brown streaks ; axillaries white, barred brown. Bill
black, pale brown below at base. Legs and feet bluish grey.
Wing 235-256. Tarsus 57-62. Bill 70-88. ? usually the larger.
Breeds. — Iceland, Faroes, Shetlands, Scandinavia, Lapland,
Finland, N. Russia south to Perm ; also W. Siberia. Winters
in Africa and S. Asia. Has occurred occasionally Jan Mayen,
often S. Greenland, irregular Azores, Madeira, and Canaries.
Some birds remain the year round in winter quarters, but have
not been known to breed there.
Numenius hudsonicus Latham.
Resembles "phaeopus" but no white on lower back, rump, or
upper tail coverts, axillaries barred rufous and brown, inner webs of
primaries barred white. Wing $ 231-257, ? 240-267 (Ridgway).
An American species ; very rare in Europe, reported from
S. Spain and Iceland.
Numenius borealis (Forster). Eskimo Curlew.
Resembles "hudsonicus" but no white bars on inner webs
of primaries ; under wing coverts and axillaries pale rufous barred
dark brown. Wing 210-215. Bill 50-58. Tarsus 43-47 (H.).
An American si)ccieb ; also very rare in Europe, recorded
as occurring about eight times in British Isles. Appears to be
almost, if not quite, extinct.
LIMICOLK— CHARADKIID.E 287
SCOLOPAX.
Bill long ; ear opening under anterior edge of orbit ; legs
feathered to heel-joint; nest in woods in depression, eggs 4,
creamy buff or dark stone, marked and blotched with
purplish grey and dark brown ; nocturnal in habits ; frequent
damp wooded districts.
Scolopax rusticola rusticola L. Woodcock. Fr.
Becasse ; Go: Waldschnepfe ; Ital. Beccaccia ; Swed. Morkulla.
$ ? Above chestnut, mottled and barred with black or grey ;
beneath buff barred brown. Bill brown, tip darker. Legs and
feet greyish flesh. Wing 185-205. Tarsus 36-38. Bill 69-80.
Breeds. — British Isles ; Continental Europe from 70^" in
Scandinavia and 66' in Russia south to Pyrenees and N. Balkans ;
and across N. Asia. Winters in Mediterranean Basin, N. Africa,
and S. Asia to China and Japan. Resident Madeira, Canaries,
and Azores, and at all seasons found in British Isles.
Gallinago.
Differs from "Scolopax" in eye being less displaced back-
wards, ear opening below middle of orbit ; legs feathered to
lower part of tibia ; frequent damp districts ; largely nocturnal
feeders; eggs in a depression in ground, pyriform, greenish
buff, spotted and blotched with dull purplish grey and dark
umber brown.
Gallinago gallinago gallinago (L.). Common Snipe.
Fr. liccassine ; Gcr. Gemeine Sumpfschnepfe ; Ital. Beccacino
reale ; Sivcd. Enkelbcckasin.
^ $ Above black mottled and barred rufous with broad longi-
tudinal streaks of reddish buff on outer webs of scapulars ; crown
black with three reddish buff stripes ; tail 14 feathers, basal part
black, terminal part red brown with black anteapical band and
buff tips ; beneath white, throat, neck and breast buff streaked
brown ; flanksbuff barred brown. There is considerable variation,
some being greyer, others more rufous, and a melanism (" G.
sabiiiii") occurs in British Isles. liill blackish brown, lighter
below. Legs and feet greyish green. Wing 123-140. 9 usually
the larger. Tarsus 31-34. Bill 63-70.
1>88 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Breeds. — British Isles ; Continental Europe from north of Arctic
Circle in Scandinavia and Russia south to Pyrenees, N. Italy,
Montenegro, and Caucasus ; also in W. Siberia. In winter occurs
in British Isles, and throughout S. Europe and N. Africa ; Azores,
Madeira, and Canaries ; and S. and tropical Africa and S. Asia.
G. gallinago faeroeensis (Brehm). Browner above and more
rusty red in spring and summer, especially on throat and upper
breast ; usually both dark stripes on lower throat absent or
indistinct ; edges of scapulars narrower and redder.
Breeds.— \Q.€i'i\.Xidi and Faroes (in latter islands typical race
occurs in autumn). Resident or partly migratory ; has been
found in Ireland, Cornwall, St Kilda and Tiree.
Gallinago media (Latham). Great Snipe. Fr. Grande
Becassine ; Ger. Grosse Sumpfschnepfe ; Ital. Croccolone ; Swed.
Dubbel Beckasin.
^ ? Like "gallinago" but tail of i6 feathers, wing coverts
white tipped, four outer tail feathers white with slight black
markings, underparts more deeply barred. Bill dull flesh at
base, darkening towards tip. Legs and feet dull flesh. Larger.
Wing 136-147. Tarsus 36-39. Bill 62-68. Young have outer tail
feathers tinged rusty and barred black.
Breeds. — Scandinavia, Lapland, Denmark, N. Germany (few),
Russia to Volga and Bessarabia, and across N. Asia to Yenisei.
Migrates ; occurs on passage throughout Europe, uncommon in
Britain, occasional Madeira and Canaries, scarce in N.W. Africa.
Winters in Africa south to Cape Colony and in S.W. Asia.
LiMNOCRYPTES.
Like "Gallinago"'; shorter secondaries pointed; syrinx
highly specialised (Pycraft).
Limnocryptes gallinula (L.). Jack Snipe. Fr. Bec-
casine sourde ; Ger. Kleine Bekassine ; Ital. Frullino ; Swed.
Halfenkel-Beckasin.
^ 2 Smaller than " gallinago," distinguished by purple and
green gloss on upper parts ; tail 12 feathers ; centre of crown
blackish and on each side broad brownish yellow stripe. Bill
yellowish flesh with black tip. Legs and feet yellowish grey.
Wing 108-115. Tarsus 23-25. 1311139-43.
LIMICOL/E-CHAR ADRIID.I^: 289
Breeds. — Lapland, Finland, N. Germany (few), lialtic Pro-
vinces, N. Poland, Russia south to Perm and Orel ; also N. Asia.
Migrates through Europe and Asia. Winters \V. and S. Europe,
N. Africa (Canaries to Egypt), also E. Africa, and S. Asia to
China and Japan.
ROSTRATULA.
Habits Rail-like ; bill decurvcd at tip ; wing much
rounded; eye and ear normal in position. 9 larger and
more richly coloured than ^ .
Rostratula benghalensis benghalensis L. Painted
Snipk.
9 Throat and neck chestnut, white patch round and behind
eye; crown stripe reddish buff; upper parts bronzy green with
some cinnamon stripes ; quills grey inner web and cinnamon spots
outer web ; chest black, abdomen white. Bill blackish, olive green
at base below. Legs and feet olive brown. (^ neck and throat
dull white ; quills grey on inner, bronzy olive green on outer
web, barred and spotted ochreous ; patch round and behind eye
ochreous. Wing ^ 127-137, ? 131-142. Tarsus 41-44. Bill
41-46 (H,). Young are like adult <^ .
Resident. — Nile Valley to Fayoum and Delta. Widely dis-
tributed in Africa and Asia.
H^MATOPUS.
Bill longer than head, flattened sideways, bent slightly up ;
no hind toe ; toes united by membrane at base ; frequent
sea-coasts and sometimes inland waters; eggs in a depression
on rock, pebbles, or sand, usually 3, stone buff with purple
shell spots and blackish brown spots and blotches.
Haematopus ostralegus ostralegus L. Ovster-
Catchlk. /->. Iluilrier pi-e ; (/Vr. Austernfischcr ; /A;/. Beccaccia
di mare ; Swed. Strandskata.
(^ 9 Black ; small patch under eye, upper tail coverts,
greater and tips of median wing coverts white ; quills partially
white, tail basal portion white, apical black ; breast and abdomen
white, liill and eyelids vermilion. I rides crimson. Legs and
feet dull crimson. Wing 245-273. Tarsus 44-53. Bill 72-75.
T
290 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Breeds. — W. Coast of Europe from NAV. Spain north to British
Isles, Faroes, Iceland, White and Baltic Seas ; also Macedonia,
Asia Minor, and sometimes Black and Caspian Seas. Winters
Iceland (few), British Isles (many), but principally on Medi-
terranean Coasts, W. Coast of Morocco, shores of Red Sea, and
east to India, and south to C. Africa.
Haematopus niger meade-waldoi Bannerman.
(^ $ Entirely black, except hidden bases of primaries, which
are white. Iris carmine red. Bill orange red. Legs and feet
red. Wing $ 260-263, ? 252-258. Tarsus 53. Bill ^ jyjj,
6 79-81 (H.).
Reside?it. — Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, Graciosa (E. Canaries).
The typical race " H. n. niger" is S. African.
LARI.
Gulls, Terns, Skuas, and Scissor-bills. Nostrils
slit-like ; bill strong and horny ; oil gland feathered ;
10 visible primaries ; 12 tail feathers ; fore toes webbed ;
young covered with down when hatched.
LARID^.
Bill without cere, tip decurved (Gulls), straight and
tapering (Terns and Scissor-bills) ; sternum with two notches
on each side ; claws weak.
Hydrochblidon.
Marsh Terns; tail less deeply forked than in "Sterna,"
and toes longer and only half webbed ; affect inland marshes
more than coast; nest in marshes on ground or on floating
herbage; eggs 3, ochreous clay or olivaceous, closely blotched
and spotted with purplish grey and blackish brown.
Hydrochelidon nigra nigra (L.). Black Tern. Fr.
Guifette noire ; Ger. Schwarze Seeschwalbe ; Ital. Mignattino ;
Swed. Svart-Tarna.
(^ summer. Above grey slate ; crown, face and nape black ;
LARI -LARID.T; 291
beneath slaty black, under tail coverts white, under wing coverts
and axillaries pale grey. Bill black. Legs and feet reddish
brown. In winter: above paler, forehead white, crown browner;
beneath greyish white. $ like ^ but underparts in summer
slaty grey. Wing (^ $ 208-222. Tarsus 15-17. Bill 24-28.
Young : mottled with brown and white with some black on sides
of chest. Bill brownish black. Legs and feet brownish flesh.
/inrds.— From S. Sweden, Gothland and Oland Islands and
Russia from L. Ladoga and Perm south throughout Europe to S.
Spain, Balearic Islands, N. Italy, Rumania, Bulgaria, and S. Russia,
regularly in Denmark and Holland, rare in France ; also in W.
Asia. Migrates ; occurs British Isles on passage, and N. Africa
(Morocco to Egypt). Winters in tropical Africa.
Hydrochelidon leucoptera (Temminck). White-
winged Black Tern.
^ ? summer. Head, neck, back, scapulars, and underparts
black ; lesser wing coverts and edge of wing white, greater
wing coverts and shorter primaries pale grey ; upper tail coverts,
vent, under tail coverts, and tail white (in $ tail grey except
base and outer feathers, which are white), under wing coverts
and axillaries black. Bill, legs and feet red. Iris dark brown.
In winter : above grey, forehead, hind collar, and underparts
white ; crown mottled black ; tail grey above, paler below, under
wing coverts and axillaries white. Wing (^ 208-225, $ 202-
215. Tarsus 18-22. Bill 21-25. Voung like adult in winter, but
crown, back, and scapulars brown or grey mottled with brown.
lirecds. — Russia north to Pskov and Esthonia, Galicia,
Hungary ; possibly S. Italy, Sicily, Egypt, and Algeria ; and
widely in N. Asia. Migrates ; occurs occasionally in W^ Europe
on passage, even as far west as Britain ; commoner in Morocco,
Algeria, and Tunis. Winters in Africa south to Cape Colony,
and from S. Asia to Australia.
Hydrochelidon leucopareia leucopareia (Temminck).
Whiskered Tern. />. Hirondelle de mer moustas ; Gcr.
Weissbartige Seeschwalbc ; Ital. Mignaltino bigio.
^ $ summer. Crown and nape black, upper parts slate grey ;
beneath, face and chin white, white streak from gape to nape,
throat and breast pale slate, abdomen sooty black, under tail
292 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
coverts, under wing coverts and axillaries white. Bill red. Legs
and feet vermilion. In winter crown and nape are white
streaked with black, and underparts white. Wing ^ 244-255,
? 234-240. Tarsus 22-24. Bill 29-31, Young are like winter
adults, but crown is brown freckled with white, scapulars and
secondaries mottled, with dark centres and buff margins. Bill
and legs brown.
Breeds. — Portugal, Spain, S. France (Camargue), Hungary,
Danube Valley, Dobrudscha, S. Russia north to S. Poland and
Volga Valley ; N. Africa (Morocco to Egypt) ; also W. Asia.
Migrates. Winters in Africa. Of occasional occurrence in N.
Central and N. Western Europe. Casual in British Isles,
Sterna.
Terns with short legs, webbed feet, long wings, and forked
tail ; flight Swallow-like ; usually met with in small parties on
sea-coast, hovering or plunging for fish or picking small
crustaceans or insects from the surface ; breed generally in
colonies on sea-coasts, islands, or inland lakes; eggs in
depression near water, white, buffy ochreous, or dark buff,
blotched or spotted with various shades of brown, black
and violet grey.
Sterna anglica anglica Montagu. Gull-billed Tern.
F'r. Sterne hansel ; Ger. Lachseeschwalbe ; /tal. Beccapesci
inglese.
^ $ summer. Crown and nape glossy black j upper parts
including tail pale blue grey ; quills dark on inner side of inner
web and tip of both webs ; beneath white ; under wing coverts
and axillaries white. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing 297-328.
Tarsus 33-35. Bill 34-37. In winter, crown is white occasionally
streaked black, and in front of eye is a black spot. Young : like
winter adults but with upper parts marked with brown arrow-
headed tips to feathers and crown more streaked ; bill, legs
and feet reddish brown.
Breeds. — Small colony Jutland Coast, S. Spain, Portugal,
S. France, S. Bavaria, Hungary, Greece, Black Sea Coasts,
Caspian Coasts north to Urals, Tunis, Algeria, Morocco, Egypt,
LARI— LARID^ 293
also Asin Minor and tliroiigli C. Asia to Mong^olia. Mi.t;rates ;
winters tropical Africa, chiefly north and cast ; and S. Asia to
China and Malay Archipcla<^o. Of rare occurrence in British Isles.
Sterna caspia caspia Pallas. Caspian Tkrn. Ger.
Raubseeschwalbe ; I fa/. Rondine di mare maggiorc.
^ 9 summer. Above blue grey, crown and nape black; hind
neck and underparts white. Bill massive, coral red, black at
tip. Legs and feet black. In winter, crown is white streaked
black. Wing 400-439. Tarsus 43-45. liill 62-74 (H.). Young
are like winter adults, but upper parts brown spotted, and bill
is orange red, dark brown at tip.
Breeds. — Sylt on Coast of Schleswig, Coasts of Sweden and
Finland, Sardinia, E. Coast Adriatic, S. Spain, Tunis Coast,
Coasts of r>lack and Caspian Seas, S. Russian salt steppes, and
also widely in Asia, Africa and N. America. Of occasional
occurrence outside its breeding range in Europe, north to Britain
and Faroes. Migrates ; occurs in winter in Africa, S. Asia,
and in America south to Mexico.
Sterna bengalensis par (Mathews). Allied Tern.
(" Sterna media " auct.).
(^ 9 Above clear grey, top of head black, occasionally a
thin white line on forehead ; outer tail feathers white ; beneath
white. Bill yellow. Legs and toes black, soles yellowish. In
winter, top of head is black spotted white, and forehead white.
Wing 293-316. Bill 51-57 (FI.)-
Breeds. — Coasts of Tunis, Syria, and Red Sea Has occurred
on Coasts of N. Morocco, S. Spain, Sicily, Egypt, and Coast of
E. Africa.
The typical race " S. b. bengalensis " ranges from Persian
Ciulf to Malay Archipelago.
Sterna maxima albididorsalis Hartcrt. Royal Tern.
(5 V summer. Above pale grey, long and pointed nuchal
feathers and crown black ; beneath white. Bill orange red.
Legs and feet blackish, soles orange yellow. In winter, crown
white with few black spots, occiput and nape black with white
edges. Wing 355-366. Tarsus 31-34. P.ill 62-72. Fork of tail
75-85 (H.).
294 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Breeds. — From Straits of Gibraltar south alon.q^ Morocco Coast
and West Coast of Africa to Bcngucla.
The typical race " S. m. maxima" is American.
Sterna sandvicensis sandvicensis Latham. Sand-
wich Tern. Fr. Hirondelle dc mer caugek ; Gei'. Brandsee-
schwalbe ; Ital. Beccapesci.
$ $ summer. Above pale blue grey, crown and nape glossy
black, nape feathers long and pointed, tail white ; beneath white
with faint rosy tinge ; inner web of ist primary white, and next
shaft a dark grey stripe, which in the middle is about as broad
as outer web, the white extends to the tip. Bill black, tip for
about lo m.m. yellow. Legs and feet black. In winter, crown
is white streaked black and there is a dark patch in front of
eye. Wing 288-318. Tarsus 25-27. Fork of tail 68-80. Bill
51-59. In young : crown and nape freckled black and white, and
upper parts are pale grey barred black.
Breeds. — British Isles, Denmark, W. German Coast, Holland,
Channel Islands, Spain, Sardinia, S. Italy, Sicily, Tunis, Black
and Caspian Seas. Migrates ; occurs in winter N. African Coast,
Canaries (rare), and West Coast of Africa to Cape, also in Red Sea,
Arabian Coasts and S. Asia to India.
Sterna hirundo hirundo L. Common Tern. Fr.
Hirondelle de mer Pierre-Garin ; Ger. Flussseeschwalbe ; Ital.
Rondine di mare ; Swed. Fisktjirna.
^ 5 summer. Above pale blue grey, upper tail coverts and
tail white, outer webs of tail streamers dark grey ; crown and
nape black ; beneath white, tinged pinkish grey ; chin, cheeks,
under tail and wing coverts and axillaries white ; shafts of
primaries white, ist primary outer web black, inner web white
and next shaft a dark grey stripe, in the middle of the feather
4-5 m.m. broad. Bill coral red, blackish at tip. Legs and feet
coral red. In winter, forehead is white, crown black with white
streaks and in front of eye a dark patch, underparts white.
Wing 250-270. Tarsus 19-21. P^ork of tail 70-90. Bill 30-39.
Young : above grey mottled and barred pale brown with bufif
tips, and on lesser wing coverts a greyish brown band ; beneath
white.
I- \Hi-r\nin.T: 295
nrrrtfa. I'litisli Isles north to Shrllands ; Azores, M.uloira,
Canaries; Conlincnlal Europe from N. Cape (but only rarely
above Arctic Circle) to Mediterranean, lilack and Caspian Seas ;
N.W. Africa, Palestine, Asia Minor and throui^h Asia to Mongolia ;
also widely in N. America. Migrates ; winters in Africa south to
Cape, S. Asia, and in America south to north shores of S. America.
Sterna paradisaea Briinnich. Arctic Tern, Fr.
Hirondelle de mcr paradis ; Ger. Kiistenseeschwalbe ; Ital.
Rondine di marc coda lunL,^a ; S7ved. Rodniibbad Tiirna.
(^9 \^ery like "hirundo" but distinguished as follows: bill
red without dark tip ; tarsus considerably shorter ; outer tail
feathers longer ; underparts darker grey ; dark grey stripe on
inner web of ist primary narrower, 2-3 m.m. broad in middle, and
paler, less contrasted. Wing 258-285. Tarsus 15-17. Fork of
tail 90-120. Bill 28-33.
Breeds. — Circumpolar ; Spitzbergcn, Franz Joseph Land, Ice-
land, Faroes, British Isles, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Lapland, N.
Russia south to Dvina, and Coasts of North Sea south to Holland ;
also N. Siberia, Arctic America, and Greenland. Migrates; occurs
in other parts of Europe on passage. Appears in our winter in
Antarctic Seas, even to limit of open water, but not iDrecding there.
Sterna dougalli dougalli Montagu. Roseate Tern.
Ger. Paradiessccschwalbc.
$ 2 summer. Above blue grey ; forehead, crown, and nape
black ; beneath rosy white ; outer tail feathers much lengthened ;
inner part of inner web of outer primaries white to tip. Bill
slender, black, orange at base. Legs and feet orange red. In
winter, forehead white and crown less glossy, mottled white,
underparts white, bill black. Wing 226-240. Tarsus 19-21.
Fork of tail 1 10-135. ^''11 35"39- Voung are like winter adults,
but with dark grey band on lesser wing coverts and central part
of secondaries dark grey.
Breeds. — British Isles (very local), Jutland and N. Friesland
Coasts (few), Coast of Brittany, Tunis, Madeira, and in greater
numbers on American Atlantic Coasts. Migrates ; occurs in
winter on Coasts of Africa ; occasionally wanders outside its
breeding grounds in Europe. Birds from Indian Ocean and
Australia have been separated as subspecies.
296 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Sterna fuscata fuscata L. Sooty Tepn.
^ 9 Above black, forehead and underparts white, outer tail
feather white. Bill, legs and feet black. Wing 275-305. Tarsus
22-25. Fork of tail 100. Bill 39-46 (H.). In winter, crown is
spotted white. Young are blackish brown with white tips on
upper parts ; beneath paler brown, vent and under tail coverts
slate. Bill, legs and feet brown.
Breeds. — W. Indies and S. Atlantic. Occasionally occurs in
European Seas ; recorded Azores, Italy, France, Germany,
British Isles.
Sterna minuta minuta L. Little Tern. Fr. Sterne
naine ; Ger. Zwergseeschwalbe ; Ital, Fraticello ; Swed. Smatiirna.
$ $ summer. Above blue grey, rump, upper tail coverts,
and tail almost white ; crown, nape, and lores black ; forehead
white, about 10 m.m. broad ; beneath white ; two outer primaries
with their shafts (sometimes third also) darker than the others.
Bill yellow, at tip black. Legs and feet light orange. In winter,
more white on forehead, and streamers of tail shorter. Wing
173-180. Tarsus 15-17. Bill 27-31. Young: crown striped
black, back bufiish grey marked with blackish crescents, tail
except outer tail feathers marked with black.
Breeds. — Europe generally from Petrograd in Russia, S. Sweden,
Germany, and British Isles south to Mediterranean, Black and
Caspian Seas ; N. Africa ; and also in W. Asia to N.W. India.
Migrates ; occurs in winter in African and Indian Seas. The limits
of the distribution of this form and of " S. m. saundersi" are not
yet defined. The latter has the three outer primaries white and
black, and bill and feet more brownish yellow. It has been reported
from Egypt.
Angus.
Tail wedge-shaped and slightly bifurcated, 3rd outer
feather longest; oceanic birds.
Anous stolidus stolidus (L.). Noddy Tern.
^ 9 Forehead whitish, crown pale grey, hind neck ashy
grey, upper parts smoky brown tinged grey, tail and wings almost
black ; below smoky brown, throat, under wing coverts, and
axillaries grey. Bill black. Legs and feet reddish brown. Wing
260-286. Tarsus 25-27. Bill 43-46.
LARI— LARID.E 297
/;;-^,V.9. —Coasts of Gulf of Mexico and S. Atlantic Islands.
Of casual occurrence in European waters, recorded France and
r>ritain.
Xema.
Tail forked; said to resemble Black-headed Gull in
habits ; eggs in a depression in moss, dull l)ro\vnish olive
blotched, chiefly at larger end, with distinct dull brown.
Xema sabinii (Sabine). Sabine's Gull.
(5 ? Head, nape and upper throat dark slate separated by
a narrow black collar from white lower throat and hind neck ;
upper parts pale slate ; outer wing coverts, inner primaries, upper
tail coverts, tail and underparts white ; outer primaries black
with white tips. Bill black, tipped yellow. Inside of mouth and
eye-rim vermilion. Legs and feet blackish grey. In winter, head
and neck white streaked grey. Wing 270-290. Tarsus 30-36.
Bill 24-28. $ generally the smaller. Young : forehead, throat
and underparts white ; above grey brown buff tipped ; outer wing
coverts and inner primaries white, tip of tail brown.
Breeds. — As far as is known, Spitzbergen, N.E. Siberia
(Kolyma district) and Arctic N. America. Circumpolar in
distribution, has been met with Franz Joseph Land, Greenland ;
occurs in winter occasionally in Europe, on Atlantic and North
Sea Coasts.
Rhodostethia.
Tail wedge-shaped; bill small, shorter than head.
Rhodostethia rosea (Macgillivray). Ross's Gull.
^ '^ summer. Above pale grey, tail white ; head and under-
parts white with bright rosy tinge, collar and outer web ist
primary black. Bill black. Eye-rim vermilion. Legs and feet
red. In winter, there is no black collar, and top of head is
greyish. Wing 260-266. Tarsus 30-32. Bill 18-19 (H.). Young:
white ; spot behind ear, shoulders, inner wing coverts, tips of
primaries .and end of tail brown ; legs and feet brown.
Breeds. — Only known locality so far is in N. Siberia (Kolyma
Delta). Has occurred all over Arctic regions ; is a rare winter
visitor to Europe, recorded Faroes, Heligoland, \'orkshire, France
and Sardinia.
298 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Larus.
Eill strong, compressed sideways, upper mandible hooked
at tip and reaching beyond lower; nostrils longitudinal; tail
square ; hind toe and claw well marked ; sexes alike, young
different from adults ; nest usually bulky, on cliffs or on
ground ; eggs 2-4, variable, some dull white in ground colour,
others dull olivaceous or ochreous, spotted and blotched
with different shades of brown.
Larus marinus L. Great Black-backed Gull. Fr.
Goeland a manteau noir ; Ger. Mantelmowe ; Hal. Mugnaiaccio ;
Swed. Hafstrut.
$ $ Back, scapulars and wing coverts slaty black ; head,
hind neck, tail, tips of scapulars and underparts white ; primaries
black, 1st primary with white tip and grey inner web, white tip
about 60 m.m. long ; 2nd primary has white tip crossed by a black
bar ; other primaries are white tipped. Bill massive, yellow, lower
mandible orange red at angle. Eye-rim vermilion, iris brown.
Legs and feet pale flesh colour. Wing 465-515. Tarsus 71-79.
Bill 52-63. In winter, head and neck are streaked brownish grey.
Young : above light brown mottled with white ; head and neck
streaked ; breast and abdomen dull huffy white ; bill horn colour.
Do not attain maturity till fourth year.
Breeds. — Greenland, Iceland, Faroes, N. Russia, Baltic
Provinces, Sweden, Gothland, Norway, British Isles and occasion-
ally N.W. France ; also in east North America. Partly resident ;
wanders in winter south to Mediterranean, Caspian and Black
Seas, Canaries and Azores, and in America south to Florida
and Cuba.
Larus argentatus argentatus Pontoppidan. Herring
Gull. Fr. Goeland argente ; Gcr. Silbermowe ; Swed. Gratrut.
^ $ Head, neck, tips of scapulars, tail and underparts white ;
mantle pale blue grey ; primaries and secondaries white tipped,
1st primary black with grey inner edge, in the next five black
diminishes and grey increases ; ist and 2nd primaries in addition
have white patches or "mirrors" near tip ; inner primaries are
grey like secondaries. Bill pale yellow, with orange red patch
on lower mandible at angle. Eye- rim yellow, iris pale yellow.
LART r.AHTD.E 299
Lcffs and foot pale flosli. In winter, crown and liind ncrk are
streaked pale brown. Wini; 395-445. Tarsus 5.S-66. I'.ill 41-55.
Vouno' : lii^lit lirown mottled white, primaries uniform brown, tail
white barred brown, bill black, legs slaty grey, often not
distinguishable from young of " L. fuscus " ; maturity is attained
in fourth year.
/>rert/s. — Faroes, llritish Isles, N. Europe from White Sea,
N. Finmark and N. Norway south to lialtic and North Sea Coasts
and West Coast of France ; also Greenland and Arctic N. America ;
(not in Iceland). To a great extent resident, some wander in
winter to Mediterranean, Caspian and lUack Seas, and in
America south to Gulf of Mexico.
L. argentatus cachinnans Pallas. Like typical "argentatus"
but differs in mantle being slightly darker, eye-rim orange red,
legs and feet flesh coloured in young, bright yellow in adult,
bill brighter, and in winter head and hind neck being white
unstreaked (rarely faintly streaked).
Jlreeds. — Azores, Canaries, Madeira, Atlantic Coasts of
Morocco, Spain and Portugal, Mediterranean Coasts from
Gibraltar to Dardanelles and Egypt, Danube mouth. Black
and Caspian Seas, S. Russia on lower Volga and north to
Orenburg, and in C. Asia to Baikal Sea. Mostly resident.
Occurs in winter West Coast of Africa south to Cape de Verde
and on east side to Arabia, Persia and India. Rare in Iiritain.
Larus fuscus fuscus L. Lesser PjLack-packed Gull.
Gcr. Hcringsmnwe ; Itill slaty blue, tip
yellow. Legs and feet black. Eye-rim orange red, iris brown.
Wing 335-365. Tarsus 39-42. Bill 32-36. Immature: greyish on
face and throat ; spots on upper parts and occasionally under-
parts, tips of quills, and subterminal band on tail dark brown.
Jh'ecds. — Circumpolar ; Spitzbergen, Nova Zembla, Franz
Joseph Land, Islands off N. Asia and Arctic N. America to
N.W. Greenland. Occurs in winter occasionally on N.W.
European Coasts, chiefly Faroes, Shetlands, Orkneys, Scandinavia
and Finland ; rarely south as far as N.W. France ; in America
south to New York and British Culuiubia.
U
306 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
RiSSA.
Hind toe rudimentary ; breed in colonies on sea cliffs ;
nest of seaweed and grass ; eggs 3, variable, ground colour
greenish white, pale ochreous or light olivaceous marked with
dark brown and purplish grey.
Rissa tridactyla tridactyla (L.). Kittiwake. Fr.
Mouette tridactyle ; Ger. Dreizehenmowe ; Ital. Gabbiano
tridattilo ; Swed. Tretaig Mase.
^ ? summer. Head, neck, tail coverts, tail, and underparts
white ; back, upper wing coverts and scapulars light blue grey,
last with white tips ; primaries and secondaries light grey, outer
web of ist primary and tips of outer primaries black, tips of inner
primaries and secondaries white. Bill yellow with green tinge.
Gape and eye-rim red. Iris brown. Legs and feet dark reddish
brown. In winter, occiput, nape and sides of neck are slaty grey.
Wing 303-325. Tarsus 31-34. Bill 31-35. Young: nape and hind
neck white, tipped black, forming a half collar, behind ear coverts
a dark spot, scapulars and inner wing coverts brown, subterminal
black band on tail, bill black.
Breeds. — Brittany Coast (rare), British Isles, Faroes, Iceland,
Spitzbergen, Franz Joseph Land, and on Norwegian Coasts and
Murman Coast of N. Russia ; also in N. Asia, Greenland, and
E. Coast N. America. Some move south in autumn and winter ;
occurs then in Mediterranean, Canaries, Azores, W. Coast Africa
to Senegal and Cape de Verde, and in America to Great Lakes,
Bermuda, and N. United States. Abundant in N. Atlantic after
the breeding season.
Rynchops.
Bill long, laterally compressed, lower mandible longer
than upper.
Rynchops tiavirostris Vieillot. African Scissor-
BILL.
^ 9 summer. Above dark brown ; forehead, face, throat
and underparts white ; under wing coverts brownish grey ; tail
forked. Bill, legs and feet orange red. Wing 335-365. Bill
to tip of upper mandible 54-65, lower mandible 78-98 (H.). In
LAIU— STERCOKARHm: 307
winter, crown is while tipped, neck whitisli, bill yreenish grey
towards tip.
An African species, which has occurred in Eyypt between
December and July, as far north as Nile Delta, and is reported
to have bred there.
STERCORARIIDJE.
Dill with a cere ; sternum with only one notch on each
side ; claws strong and sharp.
Stercorarius.
Gull-like, but bill more hooked than in " Larus " ; claws
strong and curved ; middle tail feathers longest ; summer and
winter plumages alike ; more predatory in habits ; nest of sea-
weed or grass in depression in moss ; eggs usually 2, pale oliv-
aceous or olive brown, blotched and spotted with dark brown.
Stercorarius skua skua (Briinnich). Great Skua.
(^ 9 Above dark brown with rufous streaks ; beneath
reddish brown ; tail central feathers slightly longer than others ;
primaries white towards base, most marked on 2nd to 5th, and
Tiere forming a white patch on wing, best seen when wing
extended. Bill black. Legs and feet black. Wing 393-420 (H.).
Tarsus 64-71. Bill 44-53. Young: above uniform dark brown,
upper wing coverts with white tips ; beneath dark brown, lighter
in middle of abdomen.
/>VtWj.— Iceland, Faroes, Shetland, Orkneys (at least recently) ;
possibly also in Hudson Bay. Migratory ; occurs in winter on
Atlantic Coasts south to Gibraltar and occasionally Madeira and
W. Mediterranean ; seen chiefly at sea ; on American side, occurs
south to New Brunswick and New England States.
Stercorarius pomarinus (Temminck). Pomatorhine
Skua. Siocd. Brcdstjcrstad Labb.
^ "^ Above chocolate brown ; crown and face black, ex-
tending to below gape ; nape and sides of neck straw yellow ;
beneath white, lower abdomen, under wing and under tail coverts
brown ; central tail feathers broad and twisted, 70-88 m.m. longer
than others, and tips rounded. Bill greyish black, bluish at base
308 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
above. Legs and feet black. Wing 345-370. Tarsus 50-56.
Bill 34-40. Young : above dark brown with rufous tips, beneath
dull white obscurely barred light brown, axillaries and under wing
coverts dark brown barred white, tail feathers and primaries dark
brown with white bases, and latter with white on inner web, central
tail feathers not twisted and only slightly lengthened. Both adults
and young have a light and dark phase ; in the latter phase
plumage is almost uniform dark brown.
Breeds, — Circumpolar ; Murman Coast, Waigatz, Nova Zembla,
Spitzbergen, tundras of N. Asia, Alaska, Greenland. Comes
south in autumn and winter but seen chiefly at sea, even mid-
ocean ; occasionally in Black and Mediterranean Seas, in E.
Atlantic south to Madeira and W. African Coast, in W. Atlantic
south to New York and Pennsylvania, and on N. Pacific
Coasts both Asiatic and American.
Stercorarius parasiticus parasiticus (L.). Richard-
son's Skua. Ger. Schmarotzerraubmowe ; Ital. Labbo ; Siued.
Vanlig Labb.
$ 5 Smaller than " pomarinus " and greyer brown ; black of
head not descending below gape, feathers of nape slightly
lengthened ; beneath white (throat and chest in some greyish) ;
central tail feathers tapering, projecting 80-90 m.m. beyond
others ; ist four primaries at least have white shafts, and
inner webs are white towards root. Bill black, brownish at
base above. Legs and feet black. Wing 310-328. Tarsus
40-46. Bill 26-29. A dark phase occurs, in which upper parts
are dark brown, and underparts lighter brown. Young : above
dark brown with rufous buff tips ; beneath mottled brown and
buff, or white mottled and barred with brown, under tail coverts
barred brown and white or rufous.
^r^^^j.— Circumpolar ; N. Scotland, Hebrides, Orkneys,
Shetlands, Faroes, Iceland, Norwegian Coasts, Sweden, N.
Russia, Waigatz, Nova Zembla, Franz Joseph Land, Jan Mayen,
Spitzbergen ; and in N. Siberia, Arctic America and Greenland.
Wanders south in autumn and winter ; has been met with in
Volga Valley on migration ; not common in Mediterranean ;
occurs chiefly down Coasts of W. Europe and W. Africa as far as
Cape of Good Hope ; also Coasts of America and India.
ALCi-:— ALCIDT: 309
Stercorarius longicaiidus \ icillot. I.riNc.-r.Mi.ED Skua.
S7('r,/. l-j,.ll;ibl).
(^ 9 Above nuich paler brown than in "parasiticus"; crown
glossy deep brown, face and neck straw yellow, throat and chest
white, abdomen, under tail coverts, and tail smoky brown ; central
tail feathers long and tapering, 210-270 m.m. beyond others ; shafts
of 1st and 2nd primaries only white. liill black, olive green at
base above. Legs and feet dull blue grey, with black patches
on latter. Wing 298-327. Tarsus 40-44. Bill 24-28. Young :
above brown, with whitish or buff tips ; beneath brown mottled
and barred with white, under tail coverts brown barred white.
Breeds. — N. Scandinavia, Lapland, Finland, X. Russia south
to Archangel, Nova Zembla, N. Siberia, Greenland, and probably
elsewhere in Arctic regions. Occurs sparingly in autumn and
winter in W. Europe, and Mediterranean from Gibraltar to Italy ;
also in Asia south to Japan and in America to Florida and Mexico.
Irregular on migration on British Coasts.
ALCiE.
Web-footed sea-birds ; secondaries and axillaries
short ; tail short and rounded, wedge-shaped ; hind
toe absent or rudimentary ; feet set far back ; powerful
swimmers and divers ; feed on fish, molluscs, crustaceans,
mostly obtained by diving.
ALCIDiE.
Characters those of " Alcie."
Alga.
Bill sideways compressed, up[)er mandible decurvcd at tip ;
nares [)artly hidden by feathers ; tarsus shorter than middle
toe with claw; tail 12 feathers; nest on cliffs; one egg.
Alca torda L. Razor iull. Fr. Pingouin macroptcre ;
Ger. Tordalk ; Idil. Ga/za marina; Swcd. Tordmulc.
^ 9 summer. Head, throat, foreneck, and upper parts sooty
310 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
black, a narrow white streak from base of bill to eye ; secondaries
tipped white ; beneath white. Bill corrugated, black, with a
white transverse curved line. Legs and feet black. Wing
187-198. Tarsus 30-33. Bill 27-30. In winter the white line
from bill to eye disappears, and throat and underparts are
white. Young are like winter adults but have no corrugations
on bill.
Breeds. — Iceland, Faroes, British Isles, Coasts of Scandinavia,
Murman Coast, Heligoland, Brittany Coast, and in Baltic on
Bornholm, Gothland, and in Gulf of Bothnia ; also Greenland
and eastern N. America. In winter, many wander south as far as
Moroccan Coast and Canaries and also into Mediterranean,
chiefly west, but occasionally to Malta and Adriatic Sea, and
on American Coast south to N. United States.
Alls.
Bill short, thick, and curved, nares free; maxilla broader
than high; tail 12 feathers; one egg, pale greenish blue, in
a cleft of a rock or amongst stones or boulders.
Alle alle (L.). Little Auk. F7\ Guillemot nain ; Ger.
Krabbentaucher ; Swed. Alkekung.
$ $ summer. Above blue black, wings brown, scapulars
edged white both webs, secondaries tipped white ; beneath
white, throat and foreneck sooty brown. In winter, throat, sides
of neck, and underparts white. Bill black. Legs and feet dark
bluish grey. Wingii6-i32. Tarsus 20-22. Bill 13-15.
Breeds.— lcQ\2ir\d (MevenkHnt and Graemsay), Jan Mayen,
Bear Island, Spitzbergen, Franz Joseph Land, Nova Zembla ;
also Greenland. Comes south in winter, sometimes in great
numbers, to Coasts of W. Europe as far as Azores, but rare
in Mediterranean ; also visits American Coast south to
^vXlareli^a. IS lor \ e^i c- \-t^\ 1^^
p6v/\,v URIA.
Bill long, pointed, and only slightly compressed ; nares
covered by feathers ; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw ;
eggs 1-3-
ALC.E— Ai.cim: 311
Uria troille troille (L.)- Guillemot. Fr. r'.uiUcmot
Iroile ; Gcr. Diinimc; Liiinmc ; Hal. Uria ; SiveiL Sill-grisla.
^ 9 summer. Above blackish grey, head, throat, and forc-
ncck browner, ahnost cliocolate brown ; a crease in feathers from
bill to eye and continued behind eye ; secondaries with narrow
white tips ; beneath white. In winter, above black, sides of head
(except post-ocular stripe), throat and underparts white. Bill
black. Legs and feet light brown in front, blackish behind,
webs black. Wing 190-207. Tarsus 34-38. Bill 40-48.
Jirecds. — Dear Island, Iceland, Faroes, British Isles, Murnian
Coast, Norway, Gothland, Bornholm, Heligoland, N.W. Coast
France, Portugal (Berlengas) ; also on American side of Atlantic,
S. Greenland to Newfoundland. Wanders south in winter as far
as 30° N., and also enters the Mediterranean. A variety occurs
with the crease behind eye white and eye-rim white, known as
" U. ringvia," Bridled Guillemot.
Uria lorn via lomvia (L.). Brunnich's Guillemot.
(^9 summer. Above darker than in "U. troille"; crown
black, contrasting with brown face. liill shorter, upper mandible
somewhat swollen at sides behind the nostril, and unfcathcred
part there more extensive than in "troille," bare bill behind
nostril being about equal in length to bill in front. Bill black
tinged greenish, yellowish at tip and on upper mandible near gape.
Legs and feet grey black, tinged yellowish in front. In winter,
plumage changes as in " troille." Wing 202-222. Tarsus 33-36.
r.ill 30-35.
llreeds. — Iceland (Mevenklint and Graemsay), Bear Island,
Jan Mayen, Spitzbergen, Franz Joseph Land, Murman Coast,
Nova Zembla ; also on Taimyr Peninsula and on American Coast
from N. Greenland south to Labrador. Largely resident ; some-
times appears in small numbers on Norwegian and liritish Coasts
(rarely) and in Baltic, as well as on the western side of Atlantic.
Uria grylle grylle (L.). Black Guillemot. Gcr.
Gryllteist ; Siued. Tobis-grisla.
$ 9 summer. General colour oily greenish black ; quills at
base of inner webs, median wing coverts, terminal half of greater
wing coverts, under wing coverts and axillaries white. Bill
black. Legs and feet roral red. In winter (except in very old
312 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
birds, which do not change), mostly white, upper parts being
black with white tips, tail and wings as in summer. Young have
white wing coverts mottled with black. Wing 155-166. Tarsus
30-34. Bill 30-35.
Breeds. — Iceland, Faroes, Scotland, Ireland, Isle of Man,
Scandinavia to N. Cape and east along Murman Coast to White
Sea, in Baltic on Bornholm, Aland Islands, and Swedish and
Finnish Coasts to north of Bothnian Gulf; also S. Greenland
and E. Coast of N. America to Maine. Winters in N. Atlantic.
U. grylle mandti Lichtenstein. Bill more slender than in
"grylle" ; greater wing coverts white to bases. In winter, much
whiter above, white tips much longer and rump pure white.
Wing i6i-i7r. Tarsus 29-31. Bill 26-30.
Breeds. — Bear Island, Spitzbergen, Franz Joseph Land, Nova
Zembla, Waigatz, and on Coasts of Siberia, Arctic N. America
and Greenland. Mostly winters in Arctic regions, occasionally
comes south on E. Coast of America.
Pratercula.
Bill peculiar, sideways compressed, greatest thickness less
than half its height at base; nares close to cutting edge of
bill, in narrow longitudinal slits ; nest in burrow's or holes
in cliffs; egg one, yellow white faintly spotted brown.
Pratercula arctica arctica (L.). Puffin. Fr.
Macareux ; Ger. Lund ; Swed. Lunefogel.
(J $ Upper parts and collar black, sides of head, chin
and upper throat grey ; beneath white. Bill in breeding season
bluish grey at base, apical portion carmine with yellow ridges
and bands across yellow, at base of upper mandible a raised
rim is yellow and at mouth angle is an orange rosette of raised
skin. At the same season above and below eye are raised blue
grey patches of horny skin. Legs and feet orange. In autumn,
the raised rim at base of bill, the rosette at mouth angle
and patches above and below the eye drop off and bill becomes
smaller. Wing 158-177 (H.). Bill 33-44. Height of bill at base
31-44. Young have smaller bills without ornamentation.
ALECTORIDES— OTIDID.E 313
Brrrt/s. — I'Jear Island, Iceland, W. Coasts Sweden and
Norway up to Russian Lapland ; Faroes, British Isles, Channel
Islands, and Coast of Brittany ; also S. Greenland and E. Coast
of America. Comes south in winter, sometimes as far as Canaries
and Azores, and also met with in W. Mediterranean.
The Puffins breeding in Faroes and farther south have been
separated as " F. arctica graboe " (Brehm) on account of their
smaller size. Wing 155-166. Tarsus 24-26. Bill 34-37. Height
at base 33-36. It will be seen that measurements overlap, and
the distinction is untenable. Winter birds from Majorca, said
to be still smaller, have been named by Jordans " F. arctica
mcridionalis." This also cannot be recognised.
P. arctica naumannl Norton. Larger. Wing 175-194 (H.).
Tarsus 30. Bill 42. Height at base 41-49.
Breeds. — Spitzbergen and possibly. Nova Zembla, Jan Mayen
and N. Greenland.
ALECTORIDES.
Bustards, Cranes, and Rails.
OTIDID^.
Bill short ; powder-down patches on each side of breast ;
tail feathers 20: no hind toe.
Otis.
Bill shorter than head, nares free from feathers ; frequent
open country ; great runners ; polygamous ; nest on ground.
Otis tarda tarda L. Great Bust.ard. Fr. Outarde
barbue ; Gcr. Trappc ; Ital. O tarda ; Swed. Stor-Trappe.
^ summer. Above reddish chestnut with Ijlack bars ; head
grey, hind neck chestnut, chin and "whiskers" white, foreneck
and chest chestnut spotted black ; outer wing coverts and
greater part of secondaries lavender white ; breast and abdomen
white ; under tongue is an opening into a throat sac, which is
distended in display, not present in young males. Bill bluish
314 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
grey with black tip. Legs and feet dark reddish grey. Wing
600-650. Tarsus 148-156. Bill 45-53 (H.). After breeding season
the " whiskers " drop out and red of chest is lost ; they are resumed
about mid-winter. $ Head, neck, and chest grey ; whiskers absent.
Wing 530-550. Tarsus 1 17-120 (H.). Young are like $.
Breeds. — Portugal, S. Spain, N. Morocco, Plains of Germany,
Hungary, Rumania, Bulgaria, Greece, Poland, Russia north to
Orel ; and also in Siberia. Largely resident. Formerly bred
many other countries in Europe where now rare visitor, e.g.^
France, England, Denmark, S. Sweden.
Otis tetrax tetrax L. Little Bustard. Fr. Cane-
petiere ; Ger. Zwergtrappe ; Ital. Gallina prataiola.
$ summer. Above reddish or sandy brown with irregular
wavy bars of black ; outer wing coverts and secondaries white ;
quills brown, basal part more or less white ; ear coverts and
throat slate, narrow V-shaped collar white, broad V-shaped collar
and pectoral band black ; beneath white. Bill greyish with
black tip and yellow below at base. Legs and feet greyish
yellow. After the breeding season becomes more like $ , losing
the black and white collars and pectoral band. Wing 236-
252 (H.). $ Upper parts like c?, head and neck like back,
breast ochreous with broad brown bars. Wing 245-247 (H.).
Young are like $ .
Breeds. — N.W. Africa (Tunis to Morocco), Spain, Portugal,
France, and possibly W. Germany. Rare visitor to Madeira
and Canaries. Chiefly resident.
O. tetrax orientalis Hartert. Darker, less sandy than " tetrax "
and with broader black vermiculations above. Wing ^ 250280,
$ 250-263. Tarsus 67-70. Bill 24-25 (H.).
Breeds. — S. Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Rumania, Greece, Austria,
E. Prussia, Poland, and Russia north to Kiev, Poltava, and
Orenburg ; also in W. Siberia. Northern birds migrate ; occurs
in Egypt and S.W. Asia in winter ; occasional visitor to N. and
W. Europe, rare in British Isles.
EUPODOTIS.
Bill longer than in "Otis"; head feathers lengthened
with suspicion of crest.
ALKC'I'ORIDES— OriDin.K 315
Eupodotis arabs (L.\
,t Above sandy brown with black vcrniiculations, side?; of
crown and of crest black ; neck j^rey brown, barred dull white ;
win.i; coverts white tipped, ciuills white mottled and barred blue
grey ; tail white with brown bars ; beneath white. Bill yellow
brown, darker above. Legs and feet yellow. Wing 560-625.
Tarsus iSo-200. Bill 80-90. 9 Smaller ; tail more yellowish
brown. Wing 470-530. Bill 75-80 (H.).
Rcsideiif. — Morocco, N.W. Algeria, Sahara, X.E. Africa and
Arabia.
Chlamydotis.
Distinctly crested.
Chlamydotis undulata undulata (Jacquin). Houbara
Bustard.
(^ 9 Above reddish buff freckled and indistinctly barred
black ; crest long and white ; primaries partly white, secondaries
white ; tail reddish buff with blue grey bars and white tips ;
beneath white, freckled black on neck, with a long ruff, black
on sides of neck and white in front. Bill grey brown, with darker
tip and yellow towards base. Legs and feet grey. Wing ^ 385-
400, 9 330-360. Tarsus r( 90-101, 9 86-94. liill $ 35-42, ^
35-40 (H.).
Resident. — N. Sahara and high lying plains of Atlas Range in
N. Africa (rare in Morocco). Occasionally straggles to S. Europe,
recorded Malta, Italy, Spain ; and occurs Egypt west of Nile.
C. undulata macqueeni (Gray). Crest tipped black, foreneck
and chest grey without freckles, bars on upper parts more
pronounced. Wing $ 386-428, $ 356-370 (H.).
Breeds. — C. and S.W. Asia and in Egypt east of Nile. Occurs
regularly outside breeding season in S. Russia and occasionally
further west in Europe, even to Britain.
O. undulata fuertaventurae (Rothschild and Hartert).
Above paler buff with larger black markings than in typical
"undulata"; no white tips to tail and blue grey bars broader
and darker. Wing ^ 37o-375j 9 320-348 (H.).
Resident. — E. Canaries (Fuerteventura and Lanzarote).
316 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
GRUIDiE.
Tail feathers 12 ; hind toe present, higher than the others;
bill as long as or longer than head.
Megalornis.
Head in old birds partly or entirely without feathers ; tall,
long-legged birds with outward resemblance to Storks ; frequent
open plains and marshes; wings very long, especially
secondaries; feed on vegetable substances, insects, reptiles,
etCc ; nest on ground in marshes ; eggs 2, olive grey or olive
brown, streaked and blotched reddish or pale brown.
Megalornis grus grus (L.). Crane. Fr. La Grue
cendree ; Ger. Kranich ; Ital. Gru ; Swed. Trana.
^ $ Pale slate grey, quills black ; crown, forehead, and lores
without feathers but with black bristles ; occiput red ; nape,
throat, and foreneck sooty, band from eye down sides of neck
white ; breast-bone hollowed out, containing bent windpipe. Bill
greyish green, paler at tip, browner at base. Legs and feet
black. Wing ^ 600-630, $ 550-590. Tarsus 250-260, Bill
$ 114-118, ? io5-ii2(H.).
Breeds. — Scandinavia, Finland, Livonia, Russia up to 68° N.,
N. Germany, S. Spain, Venetia, Lower Danube, and in W. Asia.
Migrates ; winters in Mediterranean Basin and in Africa. Of
occasional occurrence in British Isles.
Anthropoides.
Head entirely feathered; secondaries very long, reaching
beyond primaries.
Anthropoides virgo (L.). Demoiselle Crane. Ger.
Jungfernkranich ; Ital. Damigella di Numidia.
(J ? Blue slate ; crown light grey ; lores, hind neck, pectoral
plumes and quills black ; secondaries long, pointed, pendant,
concealing tail, tipped black ; tuft of white feathers spring from
behind eye resembling crest. Bill olive, orange at tip. Legs
and feet black. Iris red. Wing 445-525. Tarsus 173-220. Bill
63-72. (J being the larger (H.).
ALECTORIDES— RALLID.T: 317
Breeds. — Algeria (high plateaux) (and possibly Morocco and
S. Spain), Dobrudscha, S. Russia from Kiev east to Orenburg ;
also widely in Asia. Migratory ; found in winter in N.E. Africa
and S. Asia ; rare visitor to N. and W. Europe, recorded Hungary,
Germany, Sweden, Heligoland, and Britain.
RALLID^.
Body laterally compressed ; wing short and rounded ;
hind toe present ; legs and toes long ; tail short ; nestling
nidifugous, covered with black down.
Rallus.
Bill longer than head; tarsus shorter than middle toe
with claw ; nares long, lying in a groove.
Rallus aquaticus aquaticus L. Water-Rail. Fr.
Rale d'eau ; Ger. Wasscrralle ; Ital. Porciglione ; Stued.
Vattenralle.
c^ ? Above olive brown with broad black central streaks ;
beneath slate grey, flanks darker grey barred white, ventral region
reddish buff. Bill orange red, ridge above and lip black brown.
Legs and feet fleshy brown. Wing $ 120-126, ? 113-118.
Tarsus 41-45. Bill ^ 38-40, ? 35-37.
Breeds. — Iceland (rare), Britain, throughout Europe from
Mediterranean north to Arctic Circle, N. Africa (Egypt (rare)
to Morocco) ; possibly W. Siberia. Largely migratory ; not
uncommon in N.W. Europe in winter, but winters chiefly
Mediterranean Basin ; also occurs at that season in S.W. Asia.
The distribution of thi^ race and that of " R. aquaticus
korejewi" Sarudny (a paler form) in extreme W. Siberia is
not yet ascertained.
PORZANA.
Bill shorter than head ; narcs in a groove and partly
covered by membrane; middle toe with claw longer than tarsus.
Porzana porzana (L.). Si'Otted Crake. Fr. Poule d'cau
niamucllc ; Ger. 'rui)fclsumpfhuhn ; Ital. Voltolino ; Siced.
Smartuckig Sumplicina.
cJ $ Above olive brown, streaked white and with some
318 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
black feathers ; forehead, sides of crown, throat, and chest slaty,
spotted white ; inner web of inner secondaries reddish brown,
outer web like the back ; abdomen whitish, flanks, under wing
coverts and axillaries brown barred white, under tail coverts buff.
Iris brownish red. Bill olive yellow, orange at base below. Legs and
feet yellowish green. Wing 1 15-120. Tarsus 31-33. Bill 16-17.
Breeds. — Britain (rare) ; Continental Europe from 65° N. in
Norway, and 64*^ in Finland and Russia to Mediterranean; Sicily;
N.W. Africa (probably) ; also in W. Asia. Migrates ; more
abundant Britain on passage, some winter in S. Europe but
majority in N. Africa and S.W. Asia.
Porzana Carolina (L.). Carolina Crake.
Like " porzana " but inner web of inner secondaries same
colour as outer web ; throat black. Wmg $ $ 103-112. Tarsus
32-35. Bill 16-20.
An American species ; has occurred several times in British
Isles.
Porzana pusilla intermedia (Hermann). Baillon's
Crake. Fr. Poule d'eau Baillon ; Ger. Zwergsumpfhuhn ; Ital.
Schiribilla grigiata.
$ Above olive brown, streaked black and freckled white ;
forehead, face, throat, and underparts slate ; lower abdomen, flanks
and under tail coverts black barred white ; under wing coverts and
axillaries almost uniform brown ; outer margin of ist primary
white. Iris red. Bill dark olive above, below and at base green.
Legs and feet olive brown. Wing ^ 90-93, ? 82-84. Tarsus 27-30.
Bill 16. $ Throat white. Young : underparts buff, barred white
on flanks and under tail coverts.
Breeds. — Continental Europe south from Holland and Central
Germany across to the Urals ; Egypt ; N.W^ Africa ; W. Asia ;
very rarely in Britain. Migratory ; winters in Africa.
The typical form " P. p. pusilla " is E. Asiatic.
Porzana parva (Scopoli). Little Crake. Fr. Poule
d'eau poussin ; Ger. Kleines Sumpfhuhn ; Ital. Schiribilla.
^ Larger than Baillon's Crake ; above olive brown with only
a few white streaks on scapulars ; beneath blue slate slightly barred
white on abdomen and flanks; outer web of ist primary brown ;
under wing coverts and axillaries uniform olive grey. Iris red.
ALIX'TORIDHS KALMDl. 319
liill olive green, brighter below, and red at base. Legs and feet
brownish green. Wing ($ 102-111, $ 98-107. Tarsus 28-32.
i;ill r6-i8. 9 Underparts buff, flanks and under tail coverts brown
Ix'irred white. Young has outer web of ist primary wliile, but is
known from Baillon's Crake by size.
/)Vank, often among reeds; eggs clay yellow, marked
and blotched with violet grey and reddish brown.
320 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Gallinula chloropus chloropus (L.). Waterhen. Fr.
Poule d'eau ; Gcr. Rohrhuhn ; Ital. Gallinella d'acqua ; Swed.
Rorhona.
$ $ Above dark olive brown ; head, neck, and underparts
dark slaty grey with white streaks on flanks ; under tail coverts
white, black in ceirtre. Iris brownish red. Bill red, tip yellow.
Frontal shield red. Legs and feet dull green, at heel-joint a
yellow and red band. Wing ^ 173-179, ? 161 -167. Tarsus
^ 51-52, ? 43-50. Bill from feathers at side of plate 25-28.
Breeds. — Europe, including British Isles, from C. Norway, 60°
in Finland, and Petrograd in Russia south to Mediterranean and
its Islands ; N. Africa (Morocco to Egypt) ; also W. Asia.
Migratory in extreme north, but resident in Britain and Central
Europe. Has occurred Iceland, Faroes, Azores, Madeira, and
possibly Canaries.
PORPHYRIO.
Like "Gallinula" but bill higher; nares not in a groove;
colour largely blue ; frequent lakes ; nest among reeds ; eggs
like those of Waterhen.
Porphyrio caeruleus (Vandelli). Purple Gallinule.
^ 2 Purple blue, face, throat, and chest brighter ; abdomen
blackish blue ; under tail coverts Avhite. Iris red. Bill and
frontal plate dark red. Legs and feet coral red, joints of toes
brownish. Wing $ 260-280, $ 250-263 (H.). Tarsus 92-100.
Bill from feathers at side of plate 40.
Resident. — S. Portugal, S. Spain, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia,
Sardinia, Sicily. Of occasional occurrence in S. France and Italy.
Porphyrio madagascariensis (Latham). Green-
backed Gallinule.
Resembles "casruleus" but greenish above, face and throat
much paler blue ; crown, hind neck, wing coverts, quills, and
underparts purplish blue. Bill and frontal shield bright red.
Legs and feet coral red. Wing $ $ 230-260. ^ the larger.
Tarsus 86-102. Bill from end of frontal shield 55-72 (H.).
Resident. — Africa north to Sahara, and Nile Valley up to
Alexandria and Lake Menzaleh. Has occurred Sicily and
Sardinia.
ALECTOlMDES-KALLID.i: 321
Porphyrio alleni Thompbon. Allen's Gallinule.
o '? Above olive green, head blackish, shadiiii,^ into reddish
blue of neck and underparts ; under tail coverts white. Iris
bluish red. Bill red. Frontal shield dark greenish blue. Legs
and feet brownish red. Wing (^ 160-170, 9 M5-'55- Tarsus
50-55. Bill from end of frontal shield 36-44 (H.).
An African breeding species which has occasionally occurred,
chiefly in autumn and winter, in various parts of S. Europe and
N. Africa, (H.).
Resident. — Deserts of Tunisia and Algeria, south of Atlas.
A. barbara barbata (Reichenow). Above like "barbara";
throat darker, more bluish grey ; black bands on flanks
broader, white band and cinnamon ends narrower ; collar
lighter chestnut.
Resident. — Cyrenaica and Tripoli south of Benghazi.
330 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
Alectoris rufa rufa (L.). Red-legged Partridge.
Fr. Perdiix rouge ; Gc7'. Rotfeldhuhn ; Ital. Pernice.
(^ 9 Upper parts olive brown ; forecrown grey, crown and
hind neck red brown ; beneath, throat white with a black gorget
extending through eyes to lores, chest reddish buff, spotted
black, breast blue grey, abdomen cinnamon, flanks barred grey
(base), white, black, chestnut. Bill, legs, feet, and skin round eye
red. Wing $ 157-168, 9 150-162 (H.). Tarsus 40-44. Bill 15.
Resident. — S. and C. France, N. Italy, Switzerland, Elba,
Britain (introduced 1770), rare in N. France, Holland, Belgium,
Luxemburg. Birds from Balearic Islands appear to belong to
this form.
A. rufa corsa (Parrot). A doubtful form, said to be smaller.
Wing $ 158, ? 142-155 (H.).
Resident. — Corsica.
A. rufa hispanica (Seoane). Forehead dark slaty grey ;
occiput, nape, and upper back darker brown than in "rufa";
lower back and rump reddish olive-brown. Bill stronger.
Resident. — N. and N.W. Spain and N. Portugal, possibly south
to Sierras Guadarrama and de Gata ; Madeira ("maderensis "
Tschusi) and Azores, possibly introduced.
A. rufa intercedens (Brehm). Forehead lighter grey than in
" rufa " ; red on occiput and neck lighter, back and rump greyer.
Resident. — S. Spain, north to Madrid and Zaragossa, also
S. Portugal.
A. rufa australis (Tristram). Bill much larger than in
'*rufa" or " intercedens," back and upper tail coverts greyer as in
" intercedens."
Resident. — Gran Canaria (Canary Islands).
Ammoperdix.
Sexes different ; no spurs on tarsus ; small Partridges fre-
quenting low hills in rocky districts and uncultivated regions ;
eggs in depression among stones, uniform stone isabelline.
Ammoperdix heyi nicolli Hartert. See-See Partridge.
^ Vinous isabelline distinctly barred dark grey on wings and
rump, and faintly on upper tail coverts ; crown with lilac tinge ;
GAI.M PH ASIWin.K 331
ear coverts white ; rhin and patch beneath eye chestnut ; flanks
streaked dark and li;^ht chestnut and white. liill orange. Lej^^s
and feet yellow. Wing 124-132 (H.). $ Sandy grey, barred on
head, spotted on rump and upper tail coverts with dark brown.
Resilient. — Egypt, Nile \'alley (Cairo to Heluan).
The typical race, " .V. h. hcyi," is found from Sinai Peninsula
to Jordan Valley.
PRANCOLINUS.
Tail of 14 feathers; throat feathered; tarsus of ^ spurred
(one or two) ; about PartridLi;e size, frequent bush country ;
nest in a hollow on ground ; eggs yellowish brown, with
a few white shell marks.
Prancolinus bicalcaratus ayesha Hartert.
^ Above brown, vcrmiculatcd black ; crown buffy brown,
forehead black ; wing coverts, scapulars, and upper back with
broad buff streaks on both margins ; beneath chestnut, with
double buff or white streaks enclosing drop-shaped black spots ;
throat white ; two spurs on tarsus. Bill greenish brown, yellowish
at sides and below. Legs and feet yellowish green. Wing ^
175-185, ? 155-166. Tarsus 56-60. Bill 20-21 (H.). $ has
no spurs on tarsus ; brown on sides of head duller.
Re side fit. — Morocco (Mogador and Rabat to Casa Blanca).
The typical race " F. b. bicalcaratus" is W. African.
Perdix.
Tail of 16-18 featliers ; no tarsal spur; nest on ground;
'ggs olive brown, unspotted.
Perdix perdix perdix (L.). Partridck. Fr. Perdrix ;
Gcr. Kcbluihii ; It.
I'aisan ; Gcr. Jadg-Fasan ; Ital. Fagiano ; Swcd. Fasan.
J Coppery maroon with purple tips to feathers, which are
t Miarginate at tip of shaft, wings brown marked with some purple
feathers, tail olive yellow barred black, crown green, throat and
neck darker with purple reflections, especially on sides of neck,
abdomen bluish black. Bill brownish yellow. Bare skin on
334 BIRDS OF EUROPE AND NORTH AFRICA
head red. Legs and feet brownish horn colour. Wing (^ 232-
256, $ 210-220. Tarsus 65-70. Bill 28-30. $ Brown, feathers
with black angular centres, bordered by red brown and tipped
buff; crown, neck, and chest with purple gloss, breast and
abdomen light brown.
Resident. — W. Transcaucasia, south-east and east of Black
Sea, north to Araxes River. From there introduced in ancient
times into Greece and later over almost all Europe, north to
S. Sweden and Christiania.
P. colchicus septentrionalis Lorenz. ^ Above paler, more
golden than "colchicus," purple tips glossed green, throat and
neck green with little purple gloss except on sides of neck.
5 like typical female but paler.
Resident. — N. Slopes of Caucasus, especially valleys of Kuban,
Terek, and Kuma, and W. Coast of Caspian south lo Apcheron
Peninsula and north to \'olga mouth.
NUMIDA.
Guinea-fowl. Head and neck bare ; on the crown a blunt
helmet, and at each angle of bill a wattle; tail of 16 feathers;
tail coverts nearly as long as the tail; no spur on tarsus;
sexes ahke ; young different from adults.
Numida sabyi Hartert.
Black with brown shade on upper parts and white ocelli, outer
margins of inner primaries and secondaries with jagged white cross
bars ; differs from domesticated Guinea-fowl (" N. meleagris ")
in lacking the vinous grey collar, in "sabyi" the ocellated
feathers extend to the middle of the neck ; on occiput there
is a bunch of antrorse feathers covering helmet from behind.
Bill red brown, horny white at tip. Bare skin round eye slaty ;
helmet brown ; wattles red. Legs and feet dark brown. Wing
275. Tarsus -]-] (H.).
Probably a resident in W. Morocco between rivers Bou-
Regreg and Sebou, but only one example obtained up to date.
INDEX
/;/ this Index the Genus of the Species or Sub-species is given
within brackets.
abietinus (Phylloscopus), 91
Acanthis, 18
Accentor, Alpine, 138
Accipiter, 196
Accipitres, 177
Acrocephalus, 100
acuminata (Tringa), 272
acuta (Anas), 223
adalberti (Aquila), 186
adarasi (Colymbus), 249
Aegithalus, 77
aegra (Ginanthe), 129
/tgypius, 204
aegyptiaca (Alopochen), 218
(Strepto{x;lia), 254
legyptius (Caprimulgus), 151
(Centropus), 167
(Milvus), 198
(Pluvianus), 260
aeruginosus (Circus), 192
aesalon (Falcu), 182
oethiopicus (Threskiornis), 207
affinis (Larus), 300
(Micropus), 149
(Sylvia), 108
africana (Cotuniix), 333
(Kmljeriza), 37
(Fiiiigilla) 27
africanus (Carduelis), 16
agricola (Acrocephalus), 102
Agrolxiies, 113
Aki.-mon, 52
Aiauda, 51
Alaudidce, 42
ilaudi|)es (AhLinonj, 52
ilba (Egreila), 209
835
alba (Flammea), 176
(Motacilla), 63
albellus (Mergus), 235
albeola (Bucephala), 228
albicilla (Haliaetus), 199
albicollis (Muscicapa), 90
albididorsalis (Sterna), 293
albidus (Astur), 195
albifrOns (Anser), 215
(CEnanthe), 125
albistriata (Sylvia), iii
A lea, 309
Alcae, 309
Alcedinid^e, 155
Alcedo, i$5
alchata (Pterocles), 256
Alcida.', 309
alcyon (Geryle), 156
Alectorides, 313
Alectoris, 328
alexandrinus (Charadrius), 263
(Passer), 31
algeriensis (Ammomanes), 46
(Lanius), 84
(Phanicurus), 132
algirus (Turdus), 122
aliena (Rhodopechys), 22
Alle, 310
alle (Alle), 310
allenbyi (Charadrius), 263
alleni (Porphyrio), 321
Alopochen, 218
aljiestris (Utocorys), 54
(Turdus), 121
alpicola (.\Iontifringilla), 29
alpina (Tringa), 270
alpinus (Aegithalus), 79
(Picoidc=), 1^3
336
INDEX
aluco (Strix), 175
amantum (Erythrospiza), 22
americana (Anas), 223
ameiicanus (Coccyzus), 166
Ammomanes, 45
Ammoperdix, 330
Ampelidx, 87
Ampelis, 87
Anas, 220
Anatidx', 213
anatum (Falco), 178
anglica (Sterna), 292
anglicus (Dryobates), 159
anglorum (Regulus), 80
angustirostris (Anas), 223
Anous, 296
Anser, 214
anser (Anser), 214
iVnseres, 213
Anthoscopus, 79
Anthropoides, 316
Anthus, 54
antiquorum (Phcenicopterus), 212
apetzii (Calandrella), 45
apiaster (Merops), 152
apivorus (Pernis), 200
apricarius (Charadrius), 265
apus (iMicropus), 147
aquaticus (Acrocephalus), 103
(Cinclus), 143
(Rallus), 317
Aquila, 185
Aquilidae, 185
aquitanicus (Tetrao), 326
arabs (Eupodotis), 315
arborea (Lullula), 50
arctica (Fratercula), 312
arcticus (Colymbus), 250
Ardea, 208
Ardeidse, 207
Ardeola, 210
Arenaria, 268
arenaria (Calidris), 275
arenicola (Streptopelia), 254
arenicolor (Ammomanes), 46
argentatus (Larus), 298
argenlea ((Enanthe), 124
armorica (Sylvia), 1 12
armoricana (Perdix), 332
arquata (Cislicola), 115
arquatus (Numenius), 285
arrigonii (Astur), 195
arrigonii (Buteo), 190
(Passer), 32
arsinoe (Pycnonotus), 88
arundinaceus (Acrocephalus), 100
arvensis (Alauda), 51
ascalaphus (Bubo), 169
asiaticus (Charadrius), 264
Asio, 170
assimilis (Parus), 76
(Puffinus), 243
Astur, 195
ater (Parus), 72
aterrimus (Turdus), 122
atlantis (Larus), 300
atlas (Erithacus), 138
(Otocorys), 53
(Parus), 73
(Sitta), 68
atra (Fulica), 321
atricapilla (Muscicapa), 89
(Sylvia), 107
atricapillus (Astur), 196
(Garrulus), 8
(Parus), 76
atrifrons (Charadrius), 263
atrigularis (Prunella), 139
(Turdus), 120
atthis (Alcedo), 155
audouini (Larus), 301
Auk, Little, 310
aurantiiventris (Chloris), 15
aureola (Emberiza), 35
aureus (Turdus), 116
auricularis (Otogyps), 204
auritus (Podiceps), 247
australis (Alectoris), 330
Avocet, 283
avosetta (Recurvirostra), 283
ayesha (Francolinus), 331
azorensis (Turdus), 121
azorica (CoLumba), 253
azoricus (Regulus), 80
B
bactriana (Pica), 5
badius (Lanius), 85
baicalensis (Parus), 77
bairdi (Tringa), 272
balcanica (Otocorys), 54
INDEX
337
balcanicus (Carduelis), i6
(Dryobates), 159
(Slurniis), II
balcariia (Loxiu), 25
(MuscicaiKi), 89
(Sylvia), 113
balearicus (Parus), 71
bangsi (Cuculus), 165
barbara (Alectoris), 329
(Petronia), 30
barbata (Alectoris), 329
barbalus (Gypactus), 202
(Pycnonotus), 88
barnesi ((.Enanthe), 127
Bartramia, 269
bassana (Sula), 239
Bee-Eater, 152
beema (Motacilla), 60
l:)elisarius (Aquila), 186
bella (Sylvia), 1 1 1
bengalensis (Sterna), 293
benghalensis (Rostratula), 289
bernicla (Branta), 217
bertheloti (Anthus), 55
bewicki (Cygnus), 214
bianchii (Parus), 77
biarmicus (Palco), 179
(Panurus), 81
bicalcaratus (Francolinus), 331
bifasciata (Luxia), 26
bilopha (Otocorys), 54
biinaculata (Melanocorypha), 43
Bittern, 212
Little, 211
Blackbird, 121
Blackcap, 107
Blackcock, 325
blakistoni (Anthus), 58
Bluethroat, Red-spoited, 135
White-sj)otted, 136
bollii (Coluinba), 253
bonasia (Tetrastes), 327
bonelli (Phylloscopus), 94
borealis (Numenius), 286
(Parus), 76
(Phylloscopus), 95
(Puflinus), 244
(Soinaleria), 232
(Troglodytes), 141
boschas (Anas), 220
Botaurus, 211
boydi (I^uffinus), 243
brachydactyla (Calandrella), 44
(Certhia), 66
brachyrhynclnis (Anser), 216
brachyura (Galerida), 48
Brambling, 28
brandti (Garrulus), 8
(Otocorys), 54
Branta, 217
brehmi (Turdus), 11 8
brehmoruni (Micro[)us), 148
brevipes (Accipiter), 197
(Totanus), 280
brevirostris (Cardueli:^), 16
britannica (Certhia), 65
(Sitta), 68
britannicus (Carduelis), 16
(Cinclus), 142
(Lyrurus), 325
(Parus), 73
brookei (Falco), 178 ^
brutius (Passer), 32
Bubo, 168
bubo (Bubo), 168
Bucephala, 227
buchanani (Emberiza), 36
Bullfinch, 22
Trumpeter, 21
bulueri (Buhveria), 245
Bulweria, 245
Bunting, Black-headed, 34
Cirl, 36
Com, 33
House, 38
Lapland, 40
Little, 38
Meadow, 37
Pine, 34
Reed, 39
Rustic, 38
Snow, 41
Yellow-breasted, 35
Bustard, Great, 313
Iloubara, 315
Little, 314
Buteo, 189
buteo (Bulco), 189
buturlini (Certhia), 66
(Dryobates), 161
buvryi (Coccothraustes), 14
Buzzanl, 189
lluney, 200
Rough-legged, 191
338
INDEX
cabaret (Acanthis), 20
cabrerse (Turdus), 1 21
cachinnans (Larus), 299
coeruleus (Elanus), 200
(Parus), 70
(Pori>hyrio), 320
cassia (Emberiza), 37
(Sitta), 68
calandra (Emberiza), 33
(Melanocorypha), 42
Calandrella, 44
Calcarius, 40
Calidris, 275
calidus (Falco), 178
caligata (Hypolais), 105
calliope (Luscinia), 135
campestris (Anthus), 55
(Motacill»), 61
canariensis (Asio), 170
(Columba), 251
(Corv'us), 2
(Dryobates), 160
(Falco), 185
(Phylloscopus), 92
canarius (Serinus), 21
Canary, 21
candicans (Falco), 180
candidus (Dryobates), 159
caniceps (Carduelis), 17
cannabina (Acanthis), 18
canneti (Emberiza), 39
canorus (Cuculus), 165
cantarella (Alauda), 51
canus (Larus), 300
(Picus), 158
canutus (Tringa), 273
caparoch (Surnia), 174
capellanus (Corvus), 3
capensis (Asio), 171
Capercailzie, 326
Caprimulgi, 149
Caprimulgidse, 149
Caprimulgus, 149
carbo (Phalacrocorax), 236
Carduelis, 15
carduelis (Carduelis), 15
Carine, 172
carlo (F'alco), 184
(Micro pus), 148
Carolina (Porzana), 318
carolinae (Galerida), 50
carolinensis (Anas), 221
Carpodacus, 23
carthaginis (Galerida), 48
caryocatactes (Nucifraga), 6
Casarca, 219
casarca (Casarca), 219
caspia (Sterna), 293
caspius (Anthoscopus), 80
castaneiceps (Emberiza), 38
castro (Oceanodroma), 241
caucasica (Carine), 173
(Certhia), 66
(Cryptoglaux), 172
(Galerida), 47
(Loxia), 26
(Prunella), 139
(Sitta), 68
caucasicus (Anthus), 58
(Cinclus), 143
(Dryobates), 162
(Erithacus), 138
(Sturnus), ii
(Tetraogallus), 328
caudacuta (Chjetura), 149
caudacutus (Pterocles), 256
caudatus (Aegithalus), 77
Centropus, 167
Certhia, 65
Certhiidce, 65
certhiola (Locustella), 99
cervicalis (Garrulus), 8
cemnus (Anthus), 56
Ceryle, 155
cetti (Cettia), 97
Cettia, 96
cettioides (Cettia), 97
Choetura, 149
Chaffinch, 27
Charadriidse, 261
Charadrius, 261
Chat, Black-eared, 125
Black-throated, 125
cherrug (Falco), 179
Chersophilus, 52
Chettusia, 267
Chiff-chaff, 91
Chlamydotis, 315
Chloris, 14
chloris (Chloris), 14
chloropus (Gallinula), 320
chlorotica (Chloris), 15
INDEX
339
Chough, 9
Alpine, 9
chrysaetus (Aquila), 185
chrysocercus (Merop^), 152
cia (Emberiza), 37
Ciconia, 205
ciconia (Ciconia), 205
Ciconiidx, 205
cinarescens (Alauda), 51
Cinclus, 142
cinclus (Cinclus), 142
cinctus (Parus), 75
cinerea (Ardea), 208
(Motacilla), 62
(Terekia), 281
cinereocapilla (MoLacilla), 61
cinereus (Lagojius), 324
cioides (Emberiza), 38
Circaetus, 201
Circus, 192
cirlus (Emberiza), 36
cirtensis (Buteo), 192
(Cor\us), 4
Cisticola, 115
cisticola (Cisticola), 115
citreola (Motacilla), 62
citrinella (Emberiza), 33
(Spinus), 17
Clamator, 165
clan.ija (Aquila), 187
Clangula, 228
clangula (Bucephala), 227
clarkei (Turdus), 118
cleopatra (Merops), 153
clot-bey (Rhamjihocoryi), 42
clypeata (S}xitula), 224
Coccothraustes, 13
coccothraustes (Coccothraustes), 1 3
Coccyzus, 166
Cf/jlebs (Fringilla), 27
colchicus (Dryobates), i6i
(Phasianus), 333
collaris (Corvus), 4
(Prunella), 138
collurio (Lanius), 86
collybita (Phylloscopus), 91
Columba, 251
Columbx-, 251
culumbarius (Ealco), 182
Coluinbidci', 251
Colymbid.c, 249
Colynibus, 249
Comatibis, 207
comminutus (Dryobates), 161
communis (Parus), 75
(Sylvia), 107
compilator (Emberiza), 40
conboschas (Anas), 220
concolor (Falco), 181
confisa (Coturnix), 333
conspicillata (Sylvia), 11 1
conturbans (Coturnix), 333
cooki (Cyanopica), 6
Coot, 321
Crested, 321
Coracicc, 154
Coracias, 154
Coraciidae, 154
corax (Corvus), i
Cormorant, 236
Pigmy, 237
Corn-Crake, 319
comix (Corvus), 2
coronatus (Pterocles), 257
corone (Corvus), 3
corsa (Alectoris), 330
(Certhia), 66
(Luscinia), 135
(Sylvia), 113
corsicana (Loxia), 26
(Spinus), 18
corsicanus (Garrulus), 7
corsus (Parus), 70
Corvidoe, I
Corvus, I
Coturnix, 332
coturnix (Coturnix), 332
Courser, 260
coutelli (Anthus), 58
Crake, Baillon's, 318
Carolina, 318
Little, 318
Spotted, 317
Crane, 316
Demoiselle, 316
crassirostris (Acrocephalus), loi
Sylvia, 106
Crateropus, 116
crecca (Anas), 220
Creeper, Tree, 65
Wall, 67
cretorum (Garrulus), 8
Crex, 319
crex (Crex), 319
340
INDEX
crisi)us (Pelecanus), 238
crissoleucus (Picoides), 163
cristata (Fulica), 321
(Galerida), 46
cristatus (Parus), 74
(Podiceps), 246
Crossbill, 25
Parrot, 26
Two-barred, 26
Crow, Carrion, 3
Hooded, 2
Cryptoglaux, 1 71
Cuckoo, 165
Black- billed, 166
Great Spotted, 166
Yellow-billed, 166
Cuculi, 165
Cuculidae, 165
cucullatus (Mergus), 235
(Telephoniis), 86
Cuculus, 165
Curlew, 285
Eskimo, 286
Slender-billed, 286
Stone, 258
curonicus (Charadrius), 262
curruca (Sylvia), 108
Cursoridas, 259
Cursorius, 260
curvirostra (Loxia), 25
cyanecula (Luscinia), 136
cyaneus (Circus), 193
Cyanopica, 5
cyanurus (Tarsiger), 131
cyanus (Cyanopica), 6
(Parus), 72
Cygnus, 213
cygnus (Cygnus), 213
cypriaca (Galerida), 47
Cypriotes (Alectoris), 329
cyprius (Otus), 170
Cypseli, 147
Cypselidae, 147
cyrenaicae (Galerida), 50
dacotiae (Falco), 185
(Saxicola), 130
danfordi (Dryobates), 161
dartfordiensis (Sylvia), 112
daurica (Hirundo), 144
decaocto (Streptopelia), 255
degener (Parus), 71
deichleri (Galerida), 49
(Turdus), 117
Delichon, 145
deltae (Prinia), 115
deserti (Ammomanes), 45
(CE nan the), 125
(Sylvia), 109
deserticola (Sylvia), 112
desertorum (Aloemon), 52
(Bubo), 169
(Buteo), 190
(Caprimulgus), 1 51
desmaresti (Phalacrocorax), 237
diluta (Riparia), 146
Dipper, 142
discors (Anas), 221
distincius (CEdicnemus), 259
Diver, Black-throated, 250
Great Northern, 249
Red-throated, 250
White-billed Northern, 249
dodsoni (Lanius), 84
dofleini (Picus), 157
dombrowskii (Motacilla), 60
domesticus (Passer), 30
dominicus (Charadrius), 265
Dotterel, 264
dougalli (Sterna), 295
Dove, Ring, 252
Rock, 251
Stock, 252
Turtle, 253
dresseri (Parus), 76
Dryobates, 158
Dryocopus, 163
dubius (Charadrius), 262
Duck, Buflfel-headed, 22S
Harlequin, 230
Long-tailed, 228
Marbled, 223
Scaup, 226
Tufted, 226
White-eyed, 225
White-headed, 233
dukhunensis (Motacilla), 64
dumetorum (Acrocephalus), 102
Dunlin, 270
duponti (Chersophilus), 52
INDEX
341
Eatjle, Bonelli's, i8S
Booted, 189
Golden, 185
Imperial, 186
Lesser S|)ottcd, 1S7
Short- toed, 20 1
Spotted, 187
White-tailed, 199
eburnea (Pagophila), 305
Egret, Little, 209
Egretta, 209
Eider, 231
King, 232
Steller's, 231
elooica (Elypolais), 105
Elanus, 200
elegans (Lanius), 84
(Loxia), 26
e\en:r (Parus), 77
eleonor.x (Falco), I Si
Emberiza, 33
eniicleaior (Pinicola), 24
epops ( (J pupa), 153
eremita (Comatibis), 207
Ereunetes, 274
Erilhacu?, 137
erlangeri (Falco), 179
(Galerida), 49
(Phylloscopus), 95
ernesti (Flammea), 176
erythrinus (Carpodaciis), 24
erythrogaster (Ph(r'nicurus), 134
erythrogenys (Rmberiza), 34
eryihrophthalmus (Coccyzus),
166
erythropus (Anser), 215
Erylhrospiza, 21
eunomits (Turdiis), 119
Eupodotis, 314
europcna (Pyrrhiila), 23
(Silta), 67
europrniis (Acgithrdus), 77
(C'ajjriinulgus), 149
cversmanni (Phyllosiojnis), 93
excelsa (Columba), 252
excelsus (Parus), 70
exciibitor (Lanius), 83
exigua (Petronia), 30
exilijics (Aranthis), 20
exsul (Phylloscopus), 92
fabalis (Anser), 216
fcerfi'ensis (CJallinago), 288
falcinellus (Liniicola), 276
(Plegadis), 206
Falco, 177
Falcon, Eleonora's, 181
Greenland, 180
Iceland, iSo
Jer, 180
Lanner, 178
Peregrine, 177
Red- footed, 183
Saker, 179
Falconidce, 177
familiaris (Agrobates), 114
(Certhia), 65
(Lullula), 50
farocensis (Somateria), 232
faroensis (Sturnus), 10
fasciatus (Garrulus), 7
(Elieraetus), 188
iex (Pterodroma), 244
feldeggi (Falco), 179
(iNfotacilla), b2
ferina (Nyroca), 225
ferox (Buteo), 191
ferrugine;i (Tringa), 269
Fieldfare, 117
Finch, Citril, 17
Serin, 21
Snow, 29
finschi (CEnanthe), 126
Firecrest, 81
Flamingo, 212
Flammea, 176
flammeus (Asio), 1 70
flava (Motacilla), 59
(Otocorys), 53
flavescens (Lullula), 51
flavipes (Totanus), 278
flavirostris (Acanthis), 19
(Rynchops), 306
floweri (Pierocles), 257
fluckerigeri (Passer), 32
fluviatilis (Locustella), 98
(Podiccps), 248
Flycatcher, Collared, 90
Pied, 89
Red-breasted, 90
Spotted, 88
342
INDEX
Francoliniis, 331
Fratercula, 312
Fringilla, 27
Fringillidoe, 13
frugilegus (Corviis), 3
fuertavenliirae (Chlamydotis), 31 ;
Fulica, 321
fulicarius (Phalaropus), 282
fuligiila (Nyroca), 226
Fulmar, 245
Fulmarus, 245
fulvescens (Aquila), 187
fulviis (Charadriiis), 266
(Crateropus), 116
(Gyps), 203
funerea (Cryptoglaiix), 171
fusca (Locustella), 99
(Oidemia), 229
fuscata (Sterna), 296
fuscatus (Phylloscopus), 96
(Turdus), 119
fuscicollis (Tringa), 273
fuscus (Lams), 299
(Totaniis), 277
Gad wall, 222
gaetkei (Luscinia), 136
galactotes (Agrobates), 113
Galerida, 46
galilejensis (Micropus), 149
Galli, 322
galliae (Accipiter), 196
gallicus (Circaetus), 201
(Cursorius), 260
Gallinago, 287
gallinago (Gallinago), 287
gallinarum (Astur), 195
Galliniila, 319
gallinula (Limnocryptes), 288
Gallinule, Allen's, 321
Green-backed, 320
Purple, 320
Gannet, 239
Garganey, 221
Garrulus, 6
garrulus (Ampelis), 87
(Coracias), 154
garzetta (Egretta), 209
gelastes (Larus), 302
gentilis (Astur), 195
germanicus (Serinus), 21
geyri (Locustella), 98
gibraltariensis (Phoenicurus), 133
githaginea (Erythrospiza), 21
glacialis (Fulmarus), 245
glandarius (Clamator), 166
(Garrulus), 7
gracilirostris (Flammea), 177
Glareola, 260
glareola (Totanus), 280
Glaucidium, 173
glaux (Carine), 173
godmani (Puffinus), 243
Godwit, Bar-tailed, 284
Black-tailed, 284
Goldcrest, 80
Golden Eye, 227
Goldfinch, 15
golzii (Luscinia), 135
(joosander, 233
Goose, Barnacle, 217
Bean, 216
Brent, 217
Egyptian, 218
Grey Lag, 214
Lesser White-fronted, 215
Pink-footed, 216
Red-breasted, 218
Snow, 216
White-fronted, 215
Goshawk, 195
grabae (Fratercula), 313
gracilis (Prinja), 1 15
graculus (Phalacrocorax), 236
(Pyrrhocorax), 9
grceca (Alectoris), 328
grcecus (Sturnus), 1 1
grandis (Gypaetus), 202
granti (Accipiter), 197
(Sturnus), 11
grassmanni (Tetrastes), 327
gravis (Puffinus), 243
Grebe, Black-necked, 248
Great Crested, 246
Little, 248
Red-necked, 247
Sclavonian, 247
Greenfinch, 14
Greenshankj 279
gregaria (Chettusia), 267
Gressores, 204
griseigena (Podiceps), 247
INDEX
■34:^
griseiventris (Tctrastes), 327
griseiis (Aiilhiis), 55
(Macrorhampluis), 2'](^
(I'uffiniis), 244
tjrisola (MusiiiMpa), 8.S
Grosl)eak, Pine, 24
Scarlet, 24
Grouse, Red, 323
Willow, 323
Gruidx, 316
gnis (.\iegalornis), 316
grylle (Uria), 311
giiiiielmi (Alaiida), 52
Guillemoi, 31 1
Black, 311
Briinnich's, 311
Gull, Adriatic, 303
Audouin's, 301
Black-headed, 304
Bonaparte's, 303
Common, 300
Glaucous, 301
Great Black-backed, 298
Great Black-headed, 302
Herring, 298
Iceland, 301
Ivory, 305
Lesser Black-backed, 299
Little, 304
Ross's, 297
Sabine's, 297
Slender-liilled, 302
gxistavi (Anthus), 57
guttata (Flamniea), 176
Gypac-tus, 202
Gyps, 203
II
Ilaematopus, 289
Ilalcyones, 154
Haliactus, 1 99
haliaiitus (Pandion), 20I
halophila ((Knanthe), 128
Harrier, Hen, 193
Marsh, 192
Montagu's, 194
Pale, 194
harterti (A( anthis), 19
(Alauda), 52
(Buteo), 191
(Circus), 193
harterti (Cisticola), 1 15
(Dryobates), 159
(Galerida), 49
(Parus), 71
Hawfinch, 13
Hazel Hen, 327
hebridcnsis (Turdus), 118
Hedge-Sparrow, 139
heinei (Calandrella), 45
heineken (Sylvia), 107
heliaca (Aquila), 186
hellmayri (Petronia), 30
helveticus (Lagojjus), 324
Hemipode, Andalusian, 322
hemprichi (Larus), 305
Herbivocula, 96
hermonensis (Calandrella), 44
Heron, Buff-backed, 210
Common, 208
Great White, 209
Night, 210
Purple, 208
Squacco, 2IO
heyi (Ammojierdix), 331
hiaticula (Charadrius), 261
hil^ernans (Saxicola), 1 31
hibernicus (Cinclus), 142
(Garrulus), 7
(Parus), 73
Hieraetus, 188
hilgerti (Galerida), 50
Himantopus, 2.S3
himantopus (Himantopus), 283
hirtensis (Troglodytes), 14 1
Hirundinida?, 143
Hirundo, 144
hirundo (Sterna), 294
hispana (Loxia), 25
hisjxinica (Alectoris), 330
((Enanthe), 1 25
hispaniensis (Perdix), 332
(Silta), 6S
hispaniolensis (Passer), 31
hispanus (Bubo), 168
(Corvus), I
(Dryobates), 159
(Turdus), 121
Ilistrionicus, 230
histrionicus (Ilistrionicus), 230
Hobby, 1 81
holbocllii (Acanthis), 20
(Poiliccps), 247
344
INDEX
home5'eri (Laniiis), 83
(Sitla), 68
homochroa (CEnanthe), 125
Hoopoe, 153
Hoplopterus, 268
hornemanni (Acanthis), 20
hortensis (S3lvia), 106
hortorum (Diyobates), 161
hortulana (Emberiza), 36
hudsoniciis CNumenius), 286
Hydrochelidon, 290
h)"emalis (Clangula), 228
hyperboreus (Anser), 216
(Lagopus), 324
(Larus), 301
Hypolais, 103
hypoleuca (Pelagodroma), 241
h3'poleucus (Totanu?), 281
hyrcanus (Erithacus), 138
(Troglod)'tes), 142
iberiae (Motacilla), 61
Ibididae, 205
ibis (Ardeola), 210
Ibis, Glossy, 206
Sacred, 207
ichnusas (Garrulus), 7
ichthyaetus (Larus), 302
icterina (Hypolais), 103
icterops (Sylvia), 108
ignicapillus (Regulus), 81
iliacus (Turdus), 118
illyricus (Micropus), 148
immer (Colymbus), 249
incanus (Totanus), 280
indica (Saxicola), 131
indigena (Carine), 172
infaustus (Perisoreus), 9
inornata (Sylvia), iii
inornatus (Phylloscopus), 95
inquieta (Scotocerca), 114
insularum (Buteo), 190
(QEdicnemus), 259
intercedens (Alectoris), 330
intermedia (Porzana), 318
interni (Regulus), 81
interpres (Arenaria), 268
irbii (Aegithalus), 78
isabellina (Ammomanes), 46
isabellina (CEnanthe), 127
(Streptopelia), 254
islandica (Bucephala), 227
islandicus (Corvus), i
(Troglodytes), 141
islandorum (Lagopus), 324
islandus (Falco), 180
ispida (Alcedo), 155
italiiie (Aegithalus), 78
(Dryobates), 159
(Passer), 31
italica (Perdix), 332
italicus (Parus), 76
Lxobrychus, 211
Jackdaw, 4
Jay, 7
Siberian, 9
jordansi (Cisticola), 115
jourdaini (Lanius), 86
(Phalaropus), 282
jubilaeus (Turdus), 117
jugurtha (Falco), 182
junonice (Columba), 253
Jynx, 164
K
kabylorum (Troglodj'tes), 141
kamtschatkensis (Drj'obates), 162
kaukasicus (Corvus), 3
Kestrel, 184
Lesser, 183
Kingfisher, 155
Kite, 197
Black, 198
Black-winged, 200
Kittiwake, 306
kleinschmidti (Anthus), 59
(Cuculus), 165
(Galerida), 47
(Parus), 76
Knot, 273
koenigi (Alectoris), 329
(Fringilla), 27
(Lanius), 84
(Troglodytes), 1 41
kollibayi (Micropus), 148
INDEX
345
korcjewi (Riillus), 317
krii])eri (Sitta), 69
kryniiki (Garriilus), S
kiihli (Pulfmu^), 243
Lagopus, 322
lagopus (Biiteo), 191
(Lagopus), 323
lanceolata (Lociistella), 99
Laniidno, 82
Lanius, 82
lap|ionica (Limosa), 284
(Stiix), 174
lapponicus (Calcarius), 40
Lapwing, 267
Lari, 290
Laridoe, 290
Lark, Black, 43
Calandra, 42
Crested, 46
Shore, 53
Short-toed, 44
Sky, 51
Thick-l)illeil, 42
White-winged, 43
Wood, 50 "
Larus, 298
latirostris (Mu?cirapa), 91
laurencei (Corviis), 2
laurivora (Columba), 253
ledouci (Dryobates), 161
(Parus), 73
lentiginosus (Botaiirus), 212
leschanaiillii (Charadrius), 264
leucocephala (Kml)eriza), 34
(Molacilla), 60
(Oxyura). 233
ieucogastra (Sylvia), no
leucomela ((Enaiithe), 126
leucopareia (I lydrochelidon), 291
Iciuophthalimi- (Larus), 305
lencopsis (Asio), 171
(Branta), 217
leucoptera (llydrfKhelidon), 291
(Loxia), 26
leucoptcnis (f^anis), 301
leucopygu ((Knanlhc), 129
leucorodia (Phiialea), 206
leucorrhoa (Oceanodroma), 240
leiicorrhoa (Qlnanthc), 124
leucoryphiis (Ilaliatitiis), 199
Iciicotiis (Dryoliates), 160
Icuciira (Chettusia), 267
((p:nanthe), 1 28
lilfordi (I)ryobales), 161
liliancc (Dryobates), 162
Liniicola, 276
Limicolne, 258
Limnocryptes, 288
Limosa, 284
limosa (Limosa), 284
linaria (Acanthis), 19
lineatus (Milvus), 198
(Numenius), 285
Linnet, 18
littoralis (Anthus), 59
(Riparia), 146
livia (Columba), 251
lobatiis (Phalaropus), 282
Locustella, 98
lomvia (Uria), 311
longicauda (Barlramia), 269
longicaudus (Stercorarius), 309
longipennis (Calandrella), 44
lorenzii (Phylloscopus), 92
Loxia, 25
lucida (Perdix), 332
lugens ((Enanthe), 128
(Parus), 75
lugiibris (Parus), 75
Lullula, 50
Luscinia, 134
luscinia (Luscinia), 13$
lusciniodes (Locustella), gS
Liisciniola, 97
lusitanicus (Parus), 73
liiteola (Emberiza), 35
Lyrurus, 325
M
mabbotti (Prunella), 140
macedonicus (Aegithalus), 79
Machetes, 274
macqueeni (Chlamydotis), 315
macrodactyla (Certhia), 65
Macrorhaniphus, 276
macrorhyiuha (CJalcrida), 48
(Petronia), 30
macrorhynchus (Nucifraga), 6
346
INDEX
macTourus (Circus), 194
macularius (Tetanus), 2S1
maculata (Galerida), 4S
(Tringa), 272
madagascariensis (Porphyrio), 320
madaraszi (Chloris), 15
madeirensis (Anihus), 56
(Peironia), 30
(Regulus), Si
maderensis (Cclumba), 252
(Fringilla), iS
magna (Luscinia), 137
Magpie, 5
Azure-winged, 6
major (Aegithalus), 79
(Carduelis), 17
(Dryobates), 15S
(Lagopus), 323
(Parus), 69
(Platalea), 206
(Upupa), 154
Mallard, 220
mallorcae (Parus), 70
malt.3e (Passer), 32
mandti (Uria), 312
margaritoe (Chersophilus), 53
marila (N3rroca), 226
marina (Pelagodroma), 241
marinus (Lams), 29S
maritima (Tringa), 273
maroccana (Syhia), 1 12
maroccanus (Phalacrocorax), 236
Manin, 145
Crag, 146
Sand, 145
martius (Dryocopus), 163
manvitzi (^Iic^opus), 1 48
maura (Saxicola), 131
mauretanica (Jynx), 164
mauretanicus (Puffinus), 242
mauritanica (Certhia), 66
(Cisticola), 115
(Pica), 5
(Riparia), 146
(Strix), 175
mauritanicus (Turdus), 122
mauritanus (Dryobates), 160]
maxima (Sterna), 294
meadewaldoi (Acanthis), 19
(Haematopus), 290
media (Gallinago), 288
(Sterna), 293
mediterranea (Acanthis), 18
medius (Dryobates), 162
Megalomis, 316
megarhjmcha (Luscinia), 134
melanocephala (Ardea), 209
(Emberiza), 34
(Sylvia), 109
melanocephalus (Larus), 303
Melanocorypha, 42
melanogrisea (Motacilla), 62
melanoleuca (CEnanthe), 126
melanoleucus (Tetanus), 278
melanope (Motacilla), 63
melanopogon (Lusciniola), 97
melanota (Pica), 5
melba (Micropus), 147
meleagris (Nimiida), 334
melophilus (Erithacus), 137
merganser (Mergus), 233
Merganser, Hooded, 235
Red-breasted, 234
Mergus, 233
meridionalis (Caprimulgus), 150
(Cinclus), 143
(Delichon), 145
(Galeiida), 47
(Lanius), 84
Merlin, 1S2
Meropes, 151
Meropidce, 151
Merops, 152
menila (Turdus), 121
merzbacheri (S)-h-ia), 106
mesoleuca (Phoenicurus), 133
Micropus, 147
migrans (Milvus), 198
Mih-us, 197
mihnis (Milvus), 197
mimica (Lusciniola), 97
minor (Calandrella), 44
(Cinclus), 143
(Cuculus), 165
(Dryobates), 161
(Garrulus), 8
(Lanius), 82
(Regulus), 81
minos (Corvus), 3
minula (Sylvia), 108
minuta (Sterna), 296
(Tringa), 271
minutilla (Tringa), 271
minutus (Ixobrychus), 211
INDEX
34'
minutu? (Laru?), 304
mira (Carine), 172
mitratus (Panjs), 74
mlokosiewi<-zi (L3Turus), 323
modularis (Pninella), 139
mo'ritica (Galerida), 48
ma-sta (Qvnanlhe), 1 27
mollis (Lanius), 84
(Pierodroma), 244
mollissima (Somateria), 231
moltchanovi (Parus), 74
momu5 (Sylvia), lio
monacha ((Enanthe), 129
monachus (.-Egypius), 204
monedula (Conus), 4
mongolus (Charadrius), 263
montanella (Prunella), 139
monianus (Parus), 77
(Passer), 32
Monticola, 122
Montifringilla, 29
montifringilla (Fringilla), 28
moreleti (Fringilla), 28
morinellus (Charadrius), 264
Motacilla, 59
Motacillidan, 54
moussieri (Pha-nicurus). 134
miihlei (Chloris), 15
muraria (Tichodroma), 67
murielne (Saxicola), 130
murina (Pyrrhula), 23
murinus (Micropus), I48
Muscicapa, 88
Muscicapidoe, 88
musicus (Turdus), 118
mulus (Lagopus), 323
mystacea (Syl\i:r). no
naevia (Locustella), 99
nana (Acanlhii), 19
(Sylvia), 109
natronensis (Prinia), ii;
naumanni (Falco), I S3
(Fratercula), 313
(Turdus), 119
nebularius (Tolanus), 279
nehulo-a (Slrix), 1 75
neglectus (Phyllo^copus), 92
Neophron, 203
Netta, 224
neumanni (Galerida), 47
(Muscicapa), 89
neumayeri (Sitta), 69
newioni (Parus), 70
nicoUi (Ammoperdix), 330
(Calandrella), 43
niger (Hocmatopu-^). 290
Nightingale, 134
Thrush, 135
Nightjar, 149
Rufous-necked, 150
nigra (Ciconia), 205
(Hydrochelidon). 290
(Oidemia), 229
nigricans (Galerida), 48
nigricoUis (Podiceps), 248
niloticus (Lanius), S3
(Passer), 31
nipalensis (Aquila), 187
nisoria (Sylvia), 105
nisus (Accipiter), 196
nitidus (Phylloscopus), 93
nivalis (Anser), 217
(Montifringilla), 29
(Plecirophenax), 41
nivea (CEnanihe), 124
noctua (Carine), 172
nordmanni (Glareola), 261
norrisx (Sylvia), no
nor\-egica (Somateria), 232
noskoe (Saxicola), 130
nubicus (Lanius), S3
Xucifraga, 6
Xumenius, 283
Numida, 334
numidus (Drj'obare-). 160
Nutcracker, 6
Nuthatch, 67
Rock, 69
Nyctea, 167
nyciea (Nj-ctea), 167
Nycticorxx, 210
nycticorax (Nycticorax), 210
N>Toca, 225
njToca (NjToca), 223
ob«cura (Locustella), 98
(Prunella), 140
348
INDEX
obscurus (Parus), 71
(Turdiis), 119
obsoleta (Riparia), 146
occidenlalis (Aquila), 186
(Prunella), 140
oceanicus (Oceaniles), 240
Oceanites, 240
Oceanodroma, 240
ochropus (Totanus), 279
ochrunis (Phccniciirus), 133
CEdicnemidae, 258
CEdicnemus, 258
oedicnemus (Qidicnemus), 258
CEnanthe, 123
oenanthe (CEnanthe), 123
oenas (Columba), 252
ogliastroe (Parus), 71
Oidemia, 229
olivetorum (Hypolais), 104
olor (C)'gnus), 214
ombriosa (Fringilla), 28
ombriosiis (Parus), 71
onocrotalus (Pelecanus), 238
opaca (Hypolais), 105
oreophilus (Charadrius), 265
orientalis (Acrocephalus), 100
(Aquila), 187
(Carduelis), 17
(Cinclus), 143
(Merops), 153
(Otis), 314
(Parus), 72
(Phylloscopus), 94
(Prunella), 140
(Pterocles), 255
(Streptopelia), 254
(Turdus), 121
Oriole, Golden, 13
Oriolidae, 12
Oriolus, 13
oriolus (Oriolus), 13
Ortolan, 36
Osprey, 201
ostralegus (Hsematopus), 289
othmari (Emberiza), 40
Otididae, 313
Otis, 313
Otocorys, 53
Otog3^ps, 204
Otus, 169
otus (Asio), 170
Ouzel, Ring, 120
Owl, Barn, 176
Eagle, 168
Hawk, 1^4
Lapland,'i74
Little, 172
Long-eared, 170
Pigmy, 173
Scops, 169
Short-eared, 170
Snowy, 167
Tawny, 175
Tengmalm's, 171
Ural, 175
Oxyura, 233
Oyster-catcher, 289
Pagophila, 305
pallasi (Alcedo), 155
(Surnia), 174
pallescens (Corvus), 3
pallida (Galerida), 47
(Hypolais), 104
pallidogularis (Luscinia), 136
pallidus (Falco), 182
(Troglodytes), 142
palmae (Fringilla), 28
palmensis (Parus), 72
paludicola (Riparia), 146
palumbus (Columba), 252
palustris (Acrocephalus), loi
Emberiza, 40
(Parus), 75
Pandion, 201
Panurus, 81
par (Emberiza), 37
(Sterna), 293
paradisaea (Sterna), 295
paradoxus (Motacilla), 62
(Syrrhaptes), 258
parallelicolor (Acanthis), 19
parasiticus (Stercorarius), 308
Paridoe, 69
parroti (Dryobates), 159
Partridge, 331
Barbary, 329
Red-Legged, 330
Rock, 328
See-See, 330
Snow, 328
Parus, 69
INDEX
349
parva (Muscicapa), 90
parva (Porzaiia), 31S
j)arvus (Carduelis), J 6
Passer, 30
Pai^seres, I
])asserinuin (Glaucidiuin). 173
Pastor, 12
pecuarius (Charadriu^), 263
jK'kinensis (Faico), 184
(Microjius), I4.S
pchii^ica (Tlialas^idruina), 240
Pclagodroma, 241
})elegrinoides (Falco), 178
Pelican, Dalmatian, 238
Roseate, 238
Pelecanidcc, 237
Pclecanus, 237
jH-'loponnesus (Parus), 70
jK-ndulinus (Anthoscopus), 79
penelope (Anas), 222
pcnicillata (Otocorys), 54
I>ennaliis (Hicractus), 189
percnopterus (Neophron), 203
Perdix, 331
perdix (Perdix), 331
I)eregriniis (Falco), 177
Perisoreus, 8
Peniis, 200
jiersicus (Merops), 152
l)ersonata (Motacilla), 64
perspicillata (Oideinia), 230
Petrel, Leach's Fork-tailed, 240
Madeiran Fork-tailed, 241
Stormy, 240
Wilson's, 240
Petronia, 29
jjetronia (F'etronia), 29
petrosus (Anthus), 58
jjhaeopiis (Numenius), 2S6
Phalacrocoracidu.-, 235
Phalacrocorax, 236
PhalaroiHi, Grey, 282
Red-necked, 282
Phalaropus, 282
Phasianidci', 328
Phasianus, 333
Pheasant, 333
l)hiladclphia (Lams), 303
phen, 141
Wryneck, 164
X
xanthophrys (Motacilla), 62
xanthoprymna (CEnanthe), 127
xanthothorax (Erithacus), 138
Xema, 297
yarrelli (Motacilla), 64
yelkouan (Puffinus), 242
Yellow Hammer, 33
Yellowshank, 27S
Greater, 27S
yeltoniensis (Melanocorypha), 43
Z
zanidnyi (Acrocephalus), 1 00
zedlitzii (Erythrospiza), 22
zetlandicus (Sturnus), 10
(Troglodytes), 141
zimmermanna* (Buieo), 190
PRINTED BY
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