Birds from the White Nile. 411 



between 8 and 1.2 o^clock in the forenoon in small scattered 

 flocks or families, — R. M. H.] 



29. Pyrrhulauda melanocephala. 



Alauda melanocephala Liclit. Verz. Doubl. p. 28 (1823). 



Fringilla otoleucus Temni. PI. Col. iii. pi. 269. figs. 2, 3 

 (1824). 



Pyrrhulauda melanocephala Grant, Bull. B. 0. C. xii. 

 no. Ixxxii. p. 14 (1901) ; N. C. Roths. & Wollast. p. 8. 



a-c. cJ et c? imm. Khartum, 25th Jan. Nos. 16-18. 



Iris dark brown; bill, legs, and feet pale horn-coloured. 



One of the most interesting points established by the 

 present expedition was the existence of two closely allied, 

 but perfectly distinct, species — Pyrrhulauda leucotis (Stanl.) 

 and /*. melanocephala (Licht.) — in tlie valley of the White 

 Nile. Owing to vvant of material tliese two forms had been 

 united in the 'Catalogue of Birds'" {cf. vol. xiii. p. 637). 



The differences between the roales of the two species may 

 be tabulated as follows : — 



P. leucotis. 

 Bill dusky. 

 White band across nape narrow, 



0-1 inch. 

 Chestnut of upper parts dark. 

 Lesser wino:-coverts black. 



P. melanocephala. 

 Bill while. 

 "White band across nape wide, 



0'2o inch. 

 Chestnut of upper parts paler. 

 Lesser wino-coverts white. 



Through the kindness of Dr. Reichenow I have ascertained 

 that the type of Alauda melanocephala Licht. is identical 

 with Fringilla otoleucus Temm. 



This species appears to be the western representative, 

 extending to Senegal ; the true P. leucotis being confined to 

 the countries east of the White Nile, where the ranges of 

 the two species overlap. 



[The White-shouldered Finch-Lark is fairly common near 

 Khartum. It generally frequents the paths and feeds on the 

 grain which falls from loads. When disturbed it flies a short 

 way and then crouches close to the ground. — R. M. H.] 



30. MOTACILLA FLzVVA. 



Motacilla flava Linn.; Witherby, p. 241; Grant & Reid, 

 p. 631 ; N. C. Roths. Sc Wollast. p. 5. 



