308 Mr. R. Swinhoe on Formosan Omithulofly. 



in pairs. In the note to his article on Motacilla proregulus, 

 Pallas also alludes to the R, modestus, doubting whether a bird 

 of this last species received from the banks of the Lena, and 

 which he had referred to Motacilla acredula, L., might not be the 

 female of his M. proregulus. Such a doubt has probably 

 entered the head of every field-naturalist on first encounter- 

 ing the two species, but a careful study of the two birds soon 

 dispels it. Let us turn to page 497, under the head " Motacilla 

 acredula " [i. e. probably the Chiff-chafF, Sylvia rufa, Lath.). 

 We find, in a note, mention made of the birds observed by 

 M. Schmid on the Lena, which he had briefly described in 

 a MS. as "Reguli non cristati, omnium forte minimi." These 

 were doubtless the R. modestus; but as no name was there sug- 

 gested for them, we must look elsewhere for a title for our 

 interesting little friend. 



In winter it is not uncommon about woods and groves in 

 Formosa, its loud single call-note, " sweet" always attracting 

 attention to its presence. It is very rarely in company with 

 others, is lively and constantly in motion in pursuit of its insect- 

 food, and seems to be entirely happy in its own resources. 



A comparison of skins has amply proved that the birds from 

 China, Formosa, and India are one and the same, and identical 

 with the little Dalmatian (so-called) stranger procured on the 

 coast of Yorkshire. 



74. Motacilla luzoniensis, Scop. 

 M. leucopsis, Gould. 



This species, which can at once be distinguished from the two 

 other Pied Wagtails of Southern China by its white face and 

 want of black line through the eye, is a resident bird in Formosa. 

 It is also smaller, and has a longer bill. There is much white 

 on the wings. In summer the back becomes entirely black, and 

 the black on the breast extends close up to the chin, within half 

 an inch of the bill. Its eggs are very similar to those of the 

 Pied Wagtail of England. 



75. Motacilla lugubris. Pall. 

 M. lugens, ' Fauna Japonica,^ pi. 25. 



I procured one specimen of this in March, after a heavy gale. 



