ANTHUS. 293 



From the above, and from my own experience of this 

 species in Egypt, it appears that these Black-headed Wagtails, 

 like their nearest allies, migrate northward in April, and that 

 some stop by the way at localities suited to their tastes for 

 breeding, and that, although their places may be filled to some 

 extent by recruits, the large flocks gradually dwindle down 

 and leave but a few stragglers for the frontier of their range. 

 In like manner when southward bound, a few more energetic 

 than the rest overreach the normal range and may account for 

 the species having been found in South Africa, where it appears 

 to be very rare. 



I cannot agree with Dr. R. B. Sharpe in rejecting the name 

 of Motacilla melanocephala, Licht., 1823, for this Wagtail, 

 because Gmelin described a Warbler, Sylvia melanocephala 

 (Gm.) Seebohm Cat. B. M. v. p. 29, under the name of Motacilla 

 melanocephala. 



Genus II. ANTHUS. 



Plumage generally mostly brown with the back mottled with black, 

 giving to these birds a very Lark-like appearance. Sexes alike in colouring. 

 Bill rather slender, with the culmen slightly arched. Wing longer than the 

 tail, and of only nine primaries. Tarsi and feet pale. The immature birds 

 generally differ from the adults in having the upper parts darker with the 

 pale edges to the feathers narrow, and the flanks are more streaked. 



To this genus I refer nineteen Ethiopian species and subspecies, of 

 which five range into Europe and sis into Asia, but none have been found 

 in the Madagascar subregion. It would be inconsistent to place one species 

 in the genus Tmetothylacus and not recognise Calobates and Budytes 

 as distinct from Motacilla. The character of absence of feathers on the 

 lower portion of the thighs is well-marked in A. pallidiventris, which in this 

 respect is somewhat intermediate between A. pyrrfionotus and A. tenellus. 



KEY TO THE SPECIES. 



Pale portion of tail never bright yellow ; bare 

 portion of legs never extends half way up the 

 thighs. 



