81 [Vol. xli. 



not sharp as in S. saundersi. Then, too, in S. alhifrons these 

 blackish primaries are often, when fresh, " frosted," which 

 S. saundersi hardly ever shows a trace of. Again, in S. 

 saundersi the feet and legs are yellowish-brown, not bright 

 yellow as in S. alhifrons, and this distinction is invariable 

 and shows even in these skins ; and there are slight differences 

 in the bill. 



S. saundersi breeds at Karachi in Sind, whence the type 

 came, and the only other specimens I have seen from else- 

 where are from Port Sudan. 



4. Some Indian Wagtails. 



(a) Citreola group. It has been frequently stated and 

 copied from book to book that the winter specimens of the 

 Yellow-headed Wagtail (M. citreola) and Hodgson's Yellow- 

 headed Wagtail (it/, citreoloides) cannot with certainty be 

 distinguished from each other, but that they can be differen- 

 tiated from other Wagtails by their longer tarsi. Neither 

 statements are true. M. citreola has not a longer tarsus than 

 others of the Yellow Wagtail group, but ili. citreoloides has — 

 also a longer bill ; hence it follows that M. citreoloides can 

 be told from M. citreola in all plumages by the superior size 

 of bill, tarsi, and — I may add — feet. 



The old name Budytes calcarata of Hodgson ('Asiatic 

 Research,' xix. p. 190^ 1836) has been discarded as being 

 indefinite and applicable to either of these two birds in 

 winter dress, but this is not so. An examination of Hodgson's 

 original description clearly shows that his bird must have 

 been what we now call M. citreoloides. He says the tarsus 

 measures 1-19 in. ( = 30 mm.), which measurement could not 

 possibly apply to M. citreola, and will apply well for M. 

 citreoloides. Hodgson was a very careful ornithologist, and 

 knew perfectly well what he was about when he called his 

 bird Budytes calcarata — a bird with a noticeably long tarsus 

 and hind claw, such as this bird has. In my opinion, M. 

 calcarata must stand for this Wagtail's name. 



M. citreola cannot be confused with other Indian or 

 European Yellow Wagtails at any state of plumage, as it 



b 



