MOTACILLINiE. 213 



nearly | ; tarsus || ; the tail is very deeply forked. The young 

 bird has the black dull and sooty, and without spots. 



The spotted-backed Fork-tail is found throughout the whole 

 extent of the Himalayas, as far as Simla in the North-west, at all 

 events, and extends into the hilly regions of Assam, Arracau, 

 and Burraah. This beautiful AVagtail may be said to be one of the 

 characteristic adjuncts of Himalayan scenery ; if you come suddenly 

 on a mountain stream crossing the road or path, and still more 

 certainly if there be a waterfall, you are sure to see one of these 

 birds, either on the road, or on a rock in the stream. If on the 

 road, it will at times liy before you to the next stream that crosses 

 the path, and so on for a dozen times in succession ; but, more 

 generally, it flies rapidly into the jungle, as you approach, and 

 disappears up the stream, but not going far owing to the density of 

 the jungle. I cannot say that 1 have seen them perch, but on 

 one or two occasions, thought they did. In the larger streams 

 they may be seen running on the shingle, at the edge of the 

 river, but still more frequently on rocks, especially on those in 

 the rapids that are washed over by the spray. There they pick 

 up various small insects and larvse, which constitute their chief 

 food. 



In general it is a solitary bird; occasionally two or three may 

 be seen near each other, and, in that case, one will usually drive 

 away the other. The nest and eggs of this bird have been brought 

 to me, more than once, made of roots, fibres, and a little moss, 

 with three or four eggs, greenish white, with a few rusty brown 

 spots. The Hindustani name, Khanjan, is that usually given to 

 the common black and white Wagtail of the plains. 



585. Enicurus immaculatus, Hodgson. 



As. Res. XIX., 190— Blytii, Cat. 823— Hoesf,, Cat., 547. 



The Black-backed Fork-tail. 



Form as in maculatus ; colors similar, but the breast is white 

 instead of being black, and the mantle is not spotted. 



Length about 8 inches, of which the tail is 4| ; wing 3| ; bill at 

 f ront j|- ; tarsus ly^. 



