The Black-eared Wheatear: A New Bird for the Irish List

Abstract

ORNITHOLOGICAL readers of NATURE will no doubt be interested to learn that a black-eared wheatear (Œnanthe hispanica) was obtained on Tuskar Rock, Co. Wexford, on May 16, by Mr. Glanville, principal lightkeeper. There are two races of this bird, an Eastern and a Western, each of which exhibits dimorphism of plumage, the throat in some being whitish, in others black. The bird now obtained from Tuskar Rock displays the latter character in its plumage, and is indeed the black-throated wheatear (Saxicola stapazina) of earlier writers. When I find time to compare it I hope to be able to assign it to its racial form. In the meantime it seems desirable to announce its occurrence without delay as a bird quite new to Ireland. I have to express my great gratitude to Mr. Glanville for so kindly sending me this interesting specimen in the flesh for identification and investigation.