224 BIRDS or INDIA. 



to inhabit N. Africa, South-eastern Europe, and Western Asia. 

 "When, with the grey head, a white superciUutn be present, I do 

 not see how it can be discriminated from fiava, but the ear- 

 coverts and lores always appear to be a httle darker. Is it possible 

 that those found in India with the white eyebrow may be hybrids 

 between it •:m(\fl<iva? or, have we individuals of _/Z'/u« mingling 

 •with the majority of v/ridis? From cinereo-capilbi it is distinguished 

 only by ihe throat being yellow instead of white. In spite of 

 these very close resemblances, we must consider it a distinct race, 

 as none of the other recognized species are recorded to assume a 

 black cap whilst breeding ; anci it has only been observed in Europe, 

 in the southern and eastern parts thereof * 1 think it quite possi- 

 ble that all the individuals of viridis may not assume the black head 

 the first year, at all events, whicli would account for its beim: con- 

 sidered so much ra' er than the allied speci-s. liirds in winter plu- 

 mai^fe of vindis, cinereo-cnpiHa and Jidva appear to differ hut little. 

 Of the range of viridis in Central or Northern .Asia, we have 

 no recoids. Pallas describes Jiava, apparently, as the common 

 species of Northern and Central Asia ; and Swinhoe gives flava 

 as the common C^hinese species. In this case our bird winters in 

 Afiica and India, and lireeds in South- I'vustern Europe, probably 

 also in Western and perhaps the more Southern jiarts of Central 

 Asia. M. Malhei be asserts t\nit iiielanoce/ dui/a does not nestle in 

 Sicily, nor in Tuscany, though cbiereo-capiUa does. 



In India this Wagtail comes in towaids the end of September, 

 and does not quit the North of hidia till the end of April, or 

 becinninf of May. It is an exceedingly abimdan' bird in every 

 part of India, usually associating in considerable flocks, and feeding 

 amon"- cattle, picking up the insects disturbed by their feet whilst 

 grazin<T. They also frequent damp meadow ground near rivers or 

 tanks, G'rain fields, where they may often be put up along with the 

 so called Ortolan ( Cfilaiidrelki brachi/dactt/la) during the heat of the 

 day ; and, late in the season, they may always be seen taking 



* But what are we to ?ay of B. nujracap'Ua, Honiip., found in the same localities as 

 flava? Do old biiils (yi fuva ever assume a black cap, or are these iudividuals hybridi 

 with viridi* ." 



