PASSERINB BIRDS OF CEYLON. 169 



coverts less glossy-black ; greater coverts almost entirely 

 white ; quills black bordered with white ; two outer pairs of 

 tail feathers almost entirely white, the remainder black with 

 narrow white edges ; lower parts from breast downwards 

 white, the flanks grayish. 



Females are smaller, and their upper plumage is tinged 

 with gray. 



Young birds are grayish-brown where the adults are black ; 

 the white eyebrow does not extend forward of the eye ; there 

 is some white on the chin and throat, and the white parts are 

 tinged with bufE. 



Bill, legs, and feet black ; iris dark brown. 



Length about 8 • 75 ; wing 3*9; tail 4 • 1 ; tarsus 1 ; bill from 

 gape "8. 



Distribution. — A very rare straggler to Ceylon, having been 

 recorded once from one of the islands of the Northern Province. 

 In India it is resident, and is found ovre practically- the whole 

 of India proper. 



Habits. — A true Water Wagtail, which is rarely found far 

 from water. It may be looked for near rivers, tanks, &c. It 

 is very active in all its movements. It feeds on insects, and 

 will even tackle dragon-flies. 



MOTACILLA MELANOPE. 



The Gray Wagtail. 

 Motacilla melanope (Gates, Vol. II., p. 293 ; Legge, p. 610). 



Description. — Male in winter : Top and sides of head, liind- 

 neck, back, scapulars, and lesser wing coverts ashy-gray with 

 a brownish -green tinge ; rump and upper tail coverts yellowish- 

 green ; outermost pair of tail feathers entirely white, next 

 two pairs with some black on the basal portion of the outer 

 webs ; three middle pairs black with greenish margins ; medium 

 and greater wing coverts and quills dark brown with white 

 margins, which disappear on the outer primaries ; a narrow. 



32 6(17)31 



