120 MR. R. SWINHOE ON THE [Feb. 24, 
and no trace of a crest. In fact the marked differences between 
them are so great that, were there no other species to serve as a 
link, we should unhesitatingly propose the latter as the type of a 
new genus. The link is found in 7’, cafer of Le Vaillant, which has 
the occipital crest fully developed, but in different specimens presents 
almost every gradation between the two forms of bill. A specimen 
received yesterday from Mr. J. H. Gurney settles the question, having 
the bill in shape precisely similar to 7’. purpyratus. 
The genus Trachyphonus has been included with Capito of Vieillot 
by Schlegel; but this arrangement leads rather to confusion, as the 
latter is confined to America and differs in the length of tail, which 
averages two-thirds the length of the wing, while in the former it is 
as long or longer, and the genus is confined to Africa. 
Buccanodon of Verreaux, of which there is but a single species 
(B. duchaillui), we are unable to maintain; it agrees exactly with 
Xylobueco scolopacea, the type of Xylobucco of Bonaparte, as will 
be seen by the figures (p. 119). This latter genus is closely allied to 
Barbatula of Lesson; but as there is no good connecting-link known 
at present, we have retained them both. 
2. On the Pied Wagtails of China. 
By R. Swryuog, F.Z.S.—Part I. 
Without comparison of specimens, Indian authors have referred 
their white-faced black-backed Wagtail to the Motacilla luzonensis 
of Scopoli ; and putting faith in Blyth’s identification of the ordinary 
Chinese bird, I have followed suit with ours. Two other races of 
the same type having been lately procured by me in China I have 
been led to study this group, and now beg to offer the result of my 
investigations to the Society. 
Not being able to procure a specimen of the Philippine bird, I have 
nothing to go upon except Scopoli’s and Somnerat’s descriptions. 
Sonnerat procured from Luzon and described a grey-backed pied 
Wagtail, which he tells us is closely allied to the grey-backed pied 
Wagtail of Europe; but he gave it no name. His description 
(Voyage 4 la Nouvelle Guinée, 1776, vol. i. p. 61) runs thus :—“ It 
differs very little from the Grey Wagtail of Europe ; it is of the same 
size and nearly the same plumage, and absolutely the same habits; 
the top of the head or the part which answers to the forehead, round 
the beak, throat, and cheeks are white ; the back of the head, all the 
hind neck, base of the neck in front, and upper breast are black ; 
the ack is ashy grey, the belly is white. There is on each wing a 
broad white longitudinal spot, which extends from the bend of the 
wing, or the bastard-wing, across the entire wing ; the large quills 
are black, edged with a white border all round, except the outermost 
quill, which is quite black ; the tail is black above, whitish below ; 
the two outer rectrices of each side are white ; the beak and feet 
are black, iris hazel.’’ 
