The WHITE-TAILED WHEATEAR (_Dromolœa-Saxicola-leucura_) is about seven inches and a quarter long, and eleven and three-quarters broad; the wing measures three inches and two-thirds, and the tail two inches and three-quarters. The plumage is of an uniform rich black; the wing-quills are grey towards their roots, and a band of dazzling white adorns the extremity of the tail. The female is deep brown, but similar to her mate in appearance. The young male and female respectively resemble the father and mother, but are paler. This species inhabits Southern Europe, and almost invariably resorts to its most mountainous districts. In Spain it is particularly numerous, and is also frequently seen in Southern Italy, Greece, and North-western Africa. In the latter portion of the globe and in Asia it is replaced by several nearly allied species. In all these various regions it shows a decided preference for barren heights and rocky precipices, and is as constantly met with on rugged peaks, at an altitude of 500 feet above the sea, as upon the masses of dislodged stone that strew the declivities of the mountains. The darker the colour of the rock, the more dreary and desolate the situation, the more attractive it appears to be, as the blackness of the stone accords well with the dusky plumage of the birds, and renders concealment comparatively easy. [Illustration: THE EARED STONE CHAT (_Saxicola aurita_).] [Illustration: _Plate 17. Cassell's Book of Birds_ 1. Curlew (_Numenius Arquata_).--2. Sandpiper (_Totanus Hypolencos_).--3. Ringed Plover (_Charadrius Hiaticula_).--4. Dunlin (_Tringa variabilis_)--5. Land Rail (_Crex pratensis_).--6. Water Hen (_Gallinula chloropus_).--7. Lapwing (_Vanellus cristatus_).--8. Redshank (_Totanus calidris_).--9. Godwit (_Limosa melanura_).--10. Coot (_Fulica atra_).--11. Oyster Catcher (_Hæmatopus ostralegus_).--12. Rook (_Corvus frugilegus_).--13. Magpie (_Pica caudata_).--14. Jay (_Garrulus glandarius_).--15. Chough (_Fregilus graculus_).--16. Jackdaw (_Corvus monedula_).]