by Mr. Claude Grant in South Africa. 267 



148. MOTACILLA CLARA. 



MotaciUa longicauda Kiipp. (nee Gtuel.), Stark & Sclater, 

 Bds. S. Afr. i. p. 257. 



Z. Ngoye Hills, Oct. (1) ; P. Tambarara, Apl. (2). 



[The Grey-backed Wagtail was only noted from the two 

 localities where specimens were secnred. In Zululand only 

 a single pair was seen, both individuals being shot, but the 

 female lost. In the (xorongoza district some two or three 

 ])airs were observed altogether. This Wagtail frequents 

 rocky streams overhung with bush and large trees, and can 

 be seen perched on some rock in mid-stream, running and 

 taking short darting flights to catch some passing insect, 

 or flitting with low and graceful flight from one rock to 

 another. The call is the usual '' Chiswick " of the Wagtails, 

 and in general actions and habits this bird resembles the 

 other species. 



The soft parts are : — Iridcs hazel ; bill blackish ; legs and 

 toes grey -brown.] 



149. ]MoTACILLA CAPENSIS. 



CC. Klipfontein, May (5); Port Nolloth, Aug. (1); 

 Durban Road, Sept, (I); Kuysna, Dec. (5) ; Z. Jususie 

 Valley, Nov. (2) ; Tv. Wakkerstroom, McJi. (5) ; Klein 

 Letaba, Aug. (1) ; Pietersburg, Mch. (1) ; Turfloop, Mch. (1). 



Examples from Klipfontein, Zululand, and Pietersburg all 

 match one another perfectly. 



[" Quick-stertje " of Colonists. 



The Cape Wagtail was commonly observed in all localities 

 from the Cape and Namaqualand to Natal, Zululand, arul 

 the North-Eastern Transvaal, but nowhere in the Portu- 

 guese country. It was seen both singly and in pairs, and 

 frequented indiscriminately the banks of rivers and streams, 

 vleis, and dams, both in open and bushed country. Its 

 call and actions are those of M. vidua, but it is easily 

 distinguishable from that species by its colour. 



The soft parts are : — Irides dark brown; bill, legs and 

 toes dark brown.] 



