Himalayan and Kashmiri Birds 



Wagtails 



Wagtails are slightly built, elegant, rather 

 long-tailed birds, which frequent the water's 

 edge and run about over stones seeking their 

 insect quarry. The tail constantly wags up 

 and down. 



Wagtails usually frequent streams in which 

 the water does not flow very rapidly, hence are 

 not often seen at hill stations ; but three 

 species are common in Kashmir. 



103. Motacilla hodgsoni : Hodgson's Pied 

 Wagtail. F. 830, J. 590, II. K. 



Face white ; rest of upper plumage, throat 

 and breast black. Rest of lower plumage 

 white. Wings dark brown and white. Tail 

 black and white. 



Common on the Kashmir lakes. It runs 

 about on the leaves of the lotus and its flight 

 is undulating. 



104. Motacilla melanope : The Grey Wag- 

 tail. F. 832, J. 592, +1, with tail 31 inches 

 long. K. 



Head, neck and shoulders bluish-grey with 

 cream-coloured eyebrow. Rest of upper plum- 

 age greenish-yellow and black. Chin and throat 

 black, rest of lower plumage bright yellow. 

 150 



