96 BLACK-HEADED WAGTAIL. 



brilliant Motacilla melanocephala? His mate has long ago quitted her 

 nest, and presently makes her appearance in quite another direction, 

 with that demure look which these birds are apt to assume when they 

 wish to look as if they didn't come from anywhere in particular. This 

 bird is one of the especial features of Missolonghi, where it is exceedingly 

 numerous, and the only Wagtail seen daring the summer time. 

 Besides the great contrast between the black-head and grey one, and 

 the superior brilliancy of the yellow of this bird, together with the 

 minor distinctions which may be observed on comparing skins of it 

 with those of 31. Jlava, there does not appear to be any difference in 

 their respective habits, though much in their distribution. 



M. Jlava is an early spring migrant here, even wintering, according 

 to Von der Miihle, in the extreme south of the Morea; the flight is 

 generally over before 31. melanocephala makes its appearance, while 

 the latter comes about the same time as Merops apiaster. The same 

 authority also says that 'we never meet with 31. Jlava and 31. melano- 

 cephala together,' that 'in many districts, such as Livadia, Volo, and 

 Lamia, only M. Jlava is met with, whilst in the Morea it is only 31. 

 melanocephala.'' This I presume is meant to be during the breeding 

 season. If his observations are correct as to the east coast of Conti- 

 nental Greece, it would appear that 31. melanocephala does not go 

 very far north on the side of the .ZEgean, whilst on the west side of 

 the Hellenic peninsula, Mr. Powis (Lord Lilford) (Ibis, vol. ii., p. ^29) 

 noticed this species, though in small numbers, near Butemto, in Epirus, 

 which is pretty nearly as far north as it seems to have been observed." 



Salvadori, "Fauna d'ltalia," writes: — "This species by many is 

 considered a variety of 31. Jlava, but reflecting upon the different 

 geographical distribution, (rare in Egypt and Italy, where the other 

 two species, 31. Jlava and 31. cinereo-capilla, are common,) I am 

 inclined to consider it a truly distinct species. In Italy it is the 

 rarest species of the genus. It is found at the same time as the two 

 birds above mentioned, and more frequently than elsewhere in Sicily, 

 Liguria, and Malta, where it has received a common name, according 

 to Wright, derived from its note being different from that of the above 

 birds. It is said to nest in the interior of Sicily (Doderlein.)" 



The adult in breeding plumage has the cheeks, top of the head, 

 nape, and upper tail feathers deep black; back olive green, but not 

 so dark as in the preceding variety; a beautiful yellow, or, as Degland 

 has well expressed it, oVun beau jaune jonquille, below; the crop and 

 part of the flanks more or less shaded with olive green. Wing coverts 

 olive green, bordered with grey; primaries and secondaries hair brown, 

 the latter broadly bordered with grey, outer tail feathers white, the 



