( sot} : 
winter visitant in India). I noticed the evening before a snow 
storm raging beyond Jongri, at the far end of the Singalillas. Just as 
the first streaks of dawn were making their way through the dark- 
ness, Which shrouded Darjeeling, a fairy form seemed to hover at 
the window—a light airy rustle of wings greeted my ears followed 
by a melody ethereal in tone and harmony. I strained my ears to 
the utmost to find which of the Warblers had uttered the song. 
When I came to the window it was gone, four succeeding mornings 
this occurred. All I could make out was a tiny little bird flitting 
away in the darkness, in amongst the myrtle, forget-me-nots, and 
drooping honey-suckle, “dewy with nature’s tear drops as it past.” 
Well, I know the sweet carol of Sylvia Orphea, Orphean Warbler and 
its counterpart affinis; but no, it was the richest song I have 
yet heard and probably the richest I shall hear on earth, may be 
I shall hear its counterpart, when I harken to the song no Orpheus 
can ever rival—proceeding from the Eternal City—Doubtlessly this 
Warbler made so great an impression on my mind, when its song 
came on the morn, when one of those, I held dearest on earth had 
just crossed the river of life. 
Sup-Famity MOTACILLINA® (JPagtails and Pipits) 
These comprise birds which frequent the sides of rivers, marshes, 
sandy banks ; fields under irrigation, in the plains, and stony sides, 
of the hills, numbers of species are found feeding in our Jhoras. 
They have a strong and easy flight, and most of them vibrate their 
tails up and down, in a typical manner. Bill is of moderate length, 
slender and straight slightly bent at the tip, which is notched. 
These birds live, chiefly, on the ground, for which mode of life their 
feet are well adopted. Wings are typically long and _ pointed, ter- 
tiary feathers are lengthened ; tail long, displaying more or less a 
few white feathers ; tarsus fairly long and slender; claws a little 
curved; hind claw, of a large number of species, is long and 
straight. 
These birds are divided up into the following groups :— 
(i)—Hill Wagtails or Forktails. 
(ii)—Wagtails (tertiary feathers lengthened). 
(iii) —Tit-larks (having streaked plumage), 
GENUS ENICURUS (Hill Wagtails) 
Comprise, birds with tails long and forked; bodies slender ; legs 
and feet strong ; plumage, more or less, black and white; wings 
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