MOTACILLINJE. 21 1 



The MotaciUiiicB comprise three groups of birds, the species 

 of each group greatly resembling one another ; antl, in most, 

 there is more or less -white on the outer tail-feathers. SoniH live 

 by the sides of rivers or lakes, others in damp ground, or even 

 marshes and irrigated fields ; others in grass meadows, and many 

 on bare and stony plains ; a few only affect woodland situations, 

 and perch on trees, 'i'liey live almost entirely on the ground, 

 on which ihey run with tolerable speed, always moving by alter- 

 nate steps, and not hopping ; and they feed chiefly on insects 

 (which they are very dexterous in catching^ even on the wing) ; a 

 few only, at times, partaking of seeds or grain. Their flight 

 is graceful, strong, undulating, and tolerably rapid ; and many 

 are highly gregarious in winter. They breed mostly on the 

 ground, rarely on the ledge of a rock or building, and lay whitish 

 or pale clayey-coloured eggs witli brown speckles. Some of 

 them have a sweet song and are occasionally caged ; and many 

 have the habit of jerking their tails up and down, which has 

 procured for some the familiar name of Wagtails. A considerable 

 number of the known species are migratory, visiting India and 

 other hot countries in w^inter. They are found in all countries, but 

 most abundant in the Old World, a few only being found in 

 America, and still fewer in Australia and Oceanica. They 

 may be said to approach the i^axicolina, and perhaps Accentor in ce, 

 in this family : and their external affinities appear to lie with 

 the 'I'hrushes on one side through the Fork-tails ; and, on the other 

 side, with the Larks through the Pipits. 

 The MotacillincB may be divided into — 



1st. — Hill Wagtails, or Forktails, with rounded wings, and the 

 tertials not lengthened. 



2nd. — Wagtails, with lengthened tertials and unstreaked plu- 

 mage. 



3rd. — Titlarks, with streaked plumage. 



1st.— Hill Wagtails. 



Gen. Enicurus, Temminck. 



Char. — Bill moderate, or lou'j, straight, stout; the culmen strongly 

 keeled; gonys well marked, and inclining upwards; nostrils lateral, 



