230 INSESSORES. MOTACILLA. 



Subfamily MOTACILLINA. 



We now enter upon the subfamily Motacillina, which 

 forms the fifth group of the Sylviadae, and completes the 

 circle of that extensive family. The birds belonging to La- 

 tham's genus Motacilla, or Wagtail proper, are its typical 

 representatives ; in addition to which it contains many other 

 forms, and amongst these the Pipits (genus Anthus, Bechst.), 

 a group which leads immediately to the Larks (genus Alau- 

 da, Auct.)j thus connecting this portion of the Sylviadae with 

 the Conirostral tribe. The connection of the present with the 

 preceding subfamily Pariana, is supported by Swainson's 

 genus Seiurus, which partakes in an almost equal degree of 

 the characters belonging to members of each group. The 

 Wagtails are birds of slender and elegant form, and are very 

 active. They seek their food upon the ground, where they 

 run with great agility, and do not hop like the other War- 

 blers; but are equally able to perch and sit upon trees. 

 Their food consists of insects, worms, and larvae. They 

 nestle upon the ground, or on the ledges of rocks, in the 

 holes of walls, &c. 



Genus MOTACILLA, Ljth. WAGTAIL. 



GENERIC CHARACTERS. 



Bill slender, strait, subulated, carinated, emarginated, 

 and describing an angle vipon the forehead. Tomia of both 

 mandibles slightly compressed inwards, about the middle of 

 the bill. Forehead low and depressed. Nostrils basal, la- 

 teral, oval, and partly concealed by a naked membrane. 

 Tarsus considerably longer than the middle toe. Toes three 

 before and one behind ; the outer being joined at its base to 

 the middle one. Hind claw strong, more or less curved, and 



