166 SPOLIA ZEYLANIC-A. 



none of the five forms found in Ceylon are resident ; two are 

 the merest stragglers to the Island. Four of these species 

 belong to the genus Motacilla, in which the sexes are alike or 

 almost so. They undergo, however, striking seasonal changes 

 in plumage as weU as various metamorphoses between the 

 nestling and adult stages. In consequence birds of the same 

 species may be seen at the same time and place in very 

 different phases of plumage. The characteristics given in the 

 key, however, will always serve to distinguish our four Ceylon 

 species. The remaining Wagtail is a forest bird, which does 

 not undergo such continual changes. 



In the Pipits the family characteristics are not so emphasized. 

 With their soberly streaked upper plumage and shorter tails 

 they resemble the Larks. 



Three Pipits are found in Ceylon, all being sub-species of 

 Anthus richardi. Two of these forms are migratory, the third 

 is a common resident. The sexes are alike. Immature birds 

 are very spotted beneath, the spots becoming reduced in size 

 and number each year of the bird's life. There is little differ- 

 ence between the summer and winter plumage, but the 

 colours are brightest just after the moult, in autumn. 



Key to Ceylon Motacillidss. 



I. — Upper plumage, not streaked. Wagtails. 



A. — Central pair of taU feathers of same colour and as long 

 as the adjoining pair. Genus Motacilla. 



(a) Rare stragglers, plumage white, black, and gray : 

 throat and fore-neck black or with a sharply defined 

 black patch ; hind claw curved and shorter than 

 its toe. 



(1) Ear coverts and sides of neck white. 



M. alba dukhunensis (White Wagtail). 



(2) Ear coverts and sides of neck black. 



31. maderaspatensis (Large Pied Wagtail). 



(6) Adult plumage largely greenish above, yellow 

 beneath ; young birds may be grayish above and 

 whitish beneath, but have no black patch on 

 fore-neck. 



