MOTACILLA FLAVA 147 



Observations. — In winter the black throat in both sexes disappears and 

 is replaced by white or whitish-buff. 



The Grey Wagtail is a winter migrant in Tunisia, being more 

 often seen during the periods of migration than at any other season. 

 The species, however, can scarcely be considered common in the 

 Regency at any time, and none of the examples I have obtained there 

 are in full breeding plumage. It may possibly sometimes escape 

 notice, being taken for some other species of Wagtail, although at 

 close quarters this would hardly be possible, its very long tail being 

 a sufficiently distinctive character. Mr. Aplin met with the species 

 at Sfax, and M. Blanc says it occurs occasionally near the town of 

 Tunis. The species occurs in Algeria, but appears to be more abun- 

 dant in Marocco, where it is common throughout the Atlas districts, 

 and probably breeds, as I have specimens which were obtained at the 

 very end of the month of May. It may also nest in Tunisia, although 

 I have no knowledge of its doing so. In many parts of South Europe 

 the species is known to breed. 



In many of its habits the Grey Wagtail resembles others of the 

 family, but it frequents hilly districts and the neighbourhood of 

 running water far more than most of its allies, and is rarely to be found 

 otherwise than singly or in pairs. It is not a sociable bird, nor is it 

 particularly shy, and at times it will frequent the neighbourhood of 

 dwellings with the utmost self-assurance. It feeds chiefly on insects 

 and worms. Its note is a simple " zi-zi " repeated once or twice. 



MOTACILLft FLAYA, Linnseus. 

 BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL. 



Motacilla flava, Linn. Sijst. Nat. i, p. 331 (17GG) ; Sharpe Cat. Birds 

 Brit. Mus. X, p. 516, pi. vi, figs. 3-5; Malhcrbe, Cat. Bais. d'Ois. Alg. 

 p. 11 (1846) ; Whitaker, Ibis, 1895, p. 96. 



Budytes flava, Loche, Expl. Sci. Alg. Ois. ii, p. 7 (1867); Koanig, 

 J.f. 0. 1888, p. 213; id. J.f. 0. 1893, p. 25. 



Budytes flavus flavus, Erlanger, J. f. 0. 1899, p. 320. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Tunis, North Tunisia. 

 Forehead, crown, nape and sides of the neck bluish-slate ; lores and 

 ear-coverts rather darker slate ; a white superciliary stripe running from 



