BETWEEN MUSS001U AND GANGAOTRI IN MAY 1874. 249 



4. 31. Ilodgsoni. (i Sikkim, March," is exactly the same 

 as the others. 



No. 7, Patna ^, 5th March. Like the others, but the gorget 

 mixed with a few white feathers. 



It will thus be seen how much more white there is on the 

 anterior lower surface of this species than there is in the 

 other bird. From base of bill to nearest or concave edge 

 of the black crescent averages about an inch and a half; 

 tvhile in M. Hodgsoni, the white of an October bird only 

 measures five-eighths of an inch from base of bill. I have 

 thus, I think, clearly established the perfect specific distinctness of 

 these two Black-backed Wagtails. I only wish I could follow 

 up Motacilla luzoniensis into April, May, and June ; but alas ! 

 where does it go in summer ? and my materials stop short at 

 March ! I may have an April bird, but my collection is in such 

 disorder, it is impossible to find it now. To arrange some 

 thousands of small birds is no joke ; and as yet I have not had 

 time to do so. 



Here I must stop and count up my first personal pronouns. 

 I am horrified to find they far exceed the number used by my 

 friend Mr. Hume ; but in spite of Lord Walden's elegant example 

 I find the simple, even though it may seem egotistical, plan of 

 saying I, when I mean I, convenient, and less troublesome, 

 and I may add less affected than a careful omission of as many 

 Vs as* possible. Perfection of style like Lord Walden's is 

 beyond me ; and I hope, if he ever sees this paper, he wont 

 publish the result of his enumeration of my I's. Again, 

 I have digressed, and must beg the critic's forgiveness ; but I 

 am too old now to be taught how to avoid an I. 



I admire Lord Walden's brilliant style, sparkling as it does, 

 with wit and humour, but my hornety English will, I hope, serve 

 to convey my meaning, and if so, it will answer every purpose 

 just as well. 



Three of our Indian Black and White Wagtails appear to 

 acquire spring plumage by the black spreading up till it reaches 

 the base of the lower mandible. These are M. Hodgsoni, M. 

 •personata, and M. dukhunensis, Sykes. One, M. madaruspatana, 

 is a well-known constant resident, larger and blacker than the 

 others, and always black to the same extent ; and the fifth, 

 M. luzoniensis, appears to retain a large amount of white on 

 chin, throat, and upper breast, but to what extent the black 

 gorget alters in April, May, and June I for one don't know. 

 With reference to this black crescent or gorget, let me remark 

 that the black patch is not alwaj-s of pure crescentic shape, but 

 frequently, in winter birds, it is almost a circular patch, about 



* To juilgo from the case of rufula and striolata, it seems truly a case of eyes aud 

 no eyes. — Ed. 



2 H 



