MOTACILLA 207 



In habits it does not differ from Motacilla flava, and its nest 

 and eggs are similar, except that the latter are as a rule rather 

 darker. 



307. BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL. 

 MOTACILLA MELANOCEPHALA. 



Jfotacilla melanocephtila, Licht. Yerz. Doubl. p. 36 (1823) ; Nauin. xiii. 

 pt. 2. p. 125, Taf. 374 ; Dresser, iii. p. 273, pi. 160 ; M. feldeggi, 

 Michah. Isis. 1830, p. 814 ; Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 527, 

 pi. viii. figs. 1-5 ; J/. paradoxa, Brehm. Vogelf. p. 142 (1855) ; 

 Sharpe, torn. cit. p. 531. 



Cutti-capo-nero, Ital. 



< ad. (Asia Minor). Differs from M. flava in having the crown, nape 

 and sides of head deep glossy black, the back deeper green, and the under 

 parts, including the chin and throat deeper yellow. Culmen 0'55, 

 wing 3'2, tail 2 '9, tarsus TO inch. 



Hal. South-eastern Europe ; Central Asia, Persia, wintering 

 in Africa and India. 



In general habits it does not differ from M. flava, but is 

 said to affect the vicinity of salt water. Its nest and eggs 

 resemble also those of M. flava, but the eggs are rather darker 

 and browner in tinge of colour. 



Some specimens have a faint white supercilium, and these 

 have been separated under the name M. pamdoxa (Brehm) 

 (cf. Sharpe torn. cit. p. 531, pi. viii, fig. 5), but after an examina- 

 tion of a large series of specimens I cannot concur in this 

 view, 



308. SUBSP. MOTACILLA XANTHOPHRYS. 



Motacilla xanthophrys, Sharpe, Cat. B. Br. Mus. x. p. 532, pi. viii. fig. 6 ; 

 Dresser, ix. 147, pi. 664. 



ad. Differs from M. melanocepliala in having a clearly defined bright 

 yellow supercilium. 



Hal. The shores of the Black Sea to Persia. 



In habits it does not differ from M. melanocephala, and its 

 nest and eggs doubtless resemble those of that species, but are 

 as yet unknown. 



