Europe, Africa, India, and China. They are alert in their actions, and dwell almost exclusively in rocky
and sterile places where little water occurs, that element not apparently being necessary to their existence.
95. S axícola ien a n th e . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. XLV.
W h ea t ea r.
An early spring visitant from Africa. Breeds in various parts o f the three kingdoms, after which both
old and young retire to winter in warmer climates ; some individuals proceed to high northern latitudes—
Greenland and Arctic America.
Genus P ra t ín co la.
An Old-World form, the members o f which are more arboreal than the Wheatears, frequently perching on
shrubs, bushes, and grasses. They are distributed over Europe, Africa, India, and China.
9 6 . P ratíncola ru b e t r a . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. I I . P I . XLVI.
W h in -C h a t .
Strictly a migrant from the south, arriving at the end o f April, and, after breeding, departing again to
whence it came: while here, it is very generally distributed.
97. P ratíncola ru bicola . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. P I . XLVII
S t o n e -C h a t o r F u rz e -C h a t .
A resident bird, inhabiting commons and heath-covered districts; breeds and remains in its chosen
situation from year’s end to year’s end. I t is also found on the continent o f Europe, and probably in some
parts o f Asia.
Genus E ry th a cu s.
Of this genus there a re three species, the well-known Robin (E . ruiecula) o f Europe, and the E . akakige
and E . komadori o f Japan.
98. E r y t h a c u s r u b e c u l a ............................................................................................................y 0¡ j j pj XLVIII
R o b in .
This familiar denizen o f our gardens, shrubberies, and woodlands is a constant resident with us, is
dispersed over the three kingdoms, and is a general favourite. I t is also found on the continent o f Europe,
in North Africa, and the islands of Madeira and Teneriffe, in which latter island I have myself shot examples.
Genus C yanecula.
Two o r three very differently marked birds o f this form exist in Europe, Africa, India, and China. By
some writers they are considered to be one and the same species; by others each has been regarded as
distinct. In habits and disposition the Bluethroats are peculiar: they exhibit none o f the bold daring o f the
Wheatear and the Robin; neither do they sit on a twig and show their breasts like the Whin- and Stone-
C h a ts ; on the contrary they skulk among bushes and dense herbage o f hill-sides, or among the grasses in a
meadow, concealing rather than showing their beautiful colouring, as if conscious that its exposure would be
adverse to their well-being.
9 9 . C yanecula su e c ica . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. XLIX.
R e d -th r o a t e d B l u e b r e a s t .
A lovely little bird, which lives in Eastern Europe and probably in Africa. In the summer it is to be seen on
the Dovrefjeld, in the winter in the sunny south. I t sometimes pays England a visit, and hence is included
in our avifauna; but its occurrence must be regarded as purely accidental.
1 0 0 . C yanecula l e u c o c y a n a .................................................................................................................................................Vol. II. PI. L.
W h it e -t h r o a t ed B l u e b r e a s t .
A native o f France and Southern Europe, accidental in England.
Genus R u t ic il l a .
Redstarts, as the members o f this genus are trivially called, not only inhabit Europe, but are abundant in
India and China.
1 0 1 . R u t ic il l a ph ien ic u r a . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. LI.
R e d s t a r t .
Arrives from the south in April, frequents our gardens, breeds in our apple-trees, and renders its visits
agreeable by its pleasing song, the sprightliness o f its actions, and the beauty o f its plumage. I t also visits
the southern and central parts o f Europe generally.
1 0 2 . R u t ic il l a t it h y s . . . . . . . . . . . Vol. II. PI. LII.
B lack R e d s t a r t .
A native o f Central Europe and the countries to the southward and eastward thereof, pays England almost
annually a visit during the months o f autumn, when other migrants have gone south to winter in Africa;
still it must be regarded as an accidental visitor only. With us it frequents rocky situations; but on the
Continent it takes up its abode in gardens, ju st as the Redstart does here.
Genus A e d o n , Boie.
The members o f this genus are inhabitants o f the Old World, where their head quarters appear to be
Eastern Europe and Northern Africa.