1870.] MR. R. B. SHARPE ON BIRDS FROM MADAGASCAR. 395 
China, and Japan do not present the least differences. I regret that 
I cannot agree with him as to the identity of the South-African 
birds, which appear to contain constant characters whereby they 
may be at once distinguished. The male always has a conspicuous 
white rump, far more so thanin P. rudicola ; and this white rump is 
exhibited in the female of P. torquata, but is altogether wanting in 
the female of P. rubicola. I have a series of both species before me. 
Lastly, as regards P. stbylla, which I have always looked upon as 
one of the most distinct of all the true Stonechats. The nearest ally 
of the Madagascar bird is, as might be expected, P. torquata; but it 
may be distinguished by the pure white belly and under tail-coverts, 
and the more sharply defined lower margin of the rufous breast, 
which seems to form a band of red, whereas in P. torquata it gra- 
dually shades off into the buff of the abdomen. Comparing the 
females of the two species together, that of the Madagascar bird is 
altogether greyer in tint above, and not so strongly tinged with buff 
on the abdomen. 
17. Corsycuus Pica. 
Copsychus pica, vy. Pelz.; Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 38 (1861); 
Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1867, p. 368; Schl. & Poll. Faun. 
Madag. p. 95 (1868). 
“Nossi Vola, Nov. 10th, 1869. Native name Frttat ala.’ 
*Vodirat, 25 miles N.W. of Antananarivo.” 
Fam. Moraci.uip. 
18. MoracrtLua FLAVIVENTRIS. 
Motacilla flaviventris, Verr. ; Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 39 (1861) ; 
Roch & E. Newt. Ibis, 1862, p. 273; Scl. P. Z. S. 1863, p. 163; 
E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 346; Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1867, 
p- 389. 
In plumage this bird seems a connecting-link between the Pied 
Wagtails and our Grey Wagtail (Motacilla sulphurea), and possesses 
characters uniting the two sections of the genus Motacilla. In habits 
it appears strikingly similar to the last-named species. 
Fam. PLoce1p2. 
19. PLOCEUS PENSILIS. 
Nelicurvius pensilis (Gm.); Hartl. Faun. Madag. p. 54 (1861); 
E. Newt. Ibis, 1863, p. 349; Grand. Rev. et Mag. de Zool. 1867, 
- 388. 
: Ploceus pensilis, Schl. & Poll. Faune Madag. Ois. p. 108 (1868). 
“© Nossi Vola, Nov. 11th, 1869. Native name Foode ala.’’ 
This Weaver-bird differs conspicuously in the sexes, the male hav- 
ing a beautiful black head, while the female has the head dusky 
olive, relieved by bright yellow cheeks, forehead, and eyebrow. 1 
give a detailed description of the adult male and female, and also of 
a young male, 
