. ( 139%) 
rounded in appearance, the tertiary feathers of this group are of 
moderate length, 4th and 5th primary quills are longest ; tail long ; 
bill straight, having a gentle uptilted appearance ; tarsus long. 
These birds are generally, associated with water, running streams 
or dry sandy places ; damp marshy spots. They live on the land, 
chiefly, in preference to perching on trees, and run with ease, on the 
ground, where they appear to be in their more natural element. 
Their song is sweet and cheerful. They have the family trait of 
vibrating their tails. 
(584) ENICURUS MACULATUS, Spotted Fork-tail, this beautiful 
hill Wagtail is found oftener on high altitudes, than lower down. It 
is, however, not common. I have seen it, at Tongloo. Usually 
solitary in its habits, picking about, the road, which leads to San- 
dakphu and on scrubby hill-sides, not far from springs of water. It 
is dainty in appearance and prettily marked. The white spots show 
out, distinctly, against deep black plumage. In size it is 10 inches ; 
bill black, legs and feet whitish ; irides dark brown. A few of the 
leading colours (markings) to be sought for, will aid, the more 
readily to make the acquaintance of this beautiful and elegant 
species. The trouble is that it will be a one sided introduction for 
Enicurus cares little for our intrusion—upper plumage is black with 
white spots, prettily speckled ; it has a broad white band over the 
forehead ; base of the tail is pure white, remaining portion black, 
tipped with white ; neck and breast black ; underparts of the bird 
are white. This is but a poor description of this beautiful Fork-tail; 
but it will serve our purpose of distinguishing it from other species. 
These birds are found, more frequently, near water-courses : Jhoras, 
feeding on insects, on sandy and more pebbly shores ; occasionally 
not far from scrub jungle. 
(585) ENicurUs IMMACULATUS, Black-backed Fork-tail, is much 
like the former species ; but not nearly so prettily marked (spotted 
with white). It is 8 inchesin size. It differs from Muculatus in 
having the breast white instead of black ; back is unspotted. This 
species is much rarer than the Spotted Fork-tail and is only occa- 
sionally seen. I had more than one opportunity of observing it in 
Hi forest in Sikkim, where I found it frequenting damp open ground 
beside hill streams. Iam uncertain if I have seen Black-backed 
Fork-tail in or near Darjeeling, most probably I have not. 
(586) Enicurus scntstaceus, Slaty-backed Fork-tail, visits 
Darjeeling occasionally in early part of the year. Below 5,000 feet 
elevation, it is generally found without much difficulty, where it is 
more at home. I saw this species in very fair numbers at, Singla, 
on Takvar Spur, solitary, feeding near the road not far from springs 
