286 cassell's hook of birds. 



nestlings himself, as is usual, carried such food as he collected to a certain spot on the roof, from 

 whence it was borne by his mate to the young. It is still more remarkable that she was perfectly 

 familiar with the men into whose shop she had intruded, and flew in and out of it without fear. If, 

 by chance, a stranger or any other of the persons employed in the same factory entered the room, she 

 would, if in her nest, instantly quit it, or, if absent, would not return ; the moment, however, that they 

 were gone she resumed her familiarity." 



THE DHOBIN. 



The Dhobin (Motacilla Dukhunensis) is the Indian representative of the species just described. 

 During the summer this bird is pale grey on the back and scapulars, a supercilian streak, the nape, 

 wings, centre feathers of the tail, the throat, and breast, are black ; the eyebrows, a spot on the wings, 

 the exterior tail-feathers, and belly are white, and the secondary quills are dark grey, bordered with 

 white. In the winter the chin, throat, and region of the eye, are white, and only a small black spot is 

 visible on the breast ; the top of the head and nape are then grey. The eye is brown, and the beak 

 and feet black. The length of this species is from seven inches and a half to eight inches ; the wing 

 measures three inches and five-eighths ; and the tail four inches and three-quarters. 



The Dhobin is met with throughout the whole of Ceylon and Southern and Central India, and 

 is very common in the Deccan ; it usually makes its appearance in October, and remains till March 

 or April. It is at present unknown where this species breeds; and we have but little information 

 respecting its habits, except that it lives in close proximity to houses, frequently entering within doors 

 to seize the flies as they skim about the rooms ; during the day it remains solitary, but in the evening 

 goes with its companions to the margin of some stream or other piece of water, there to pass the 

 night. 



This bird closely resembles the Motacilla alba of Europe, but is distinguished by its great ear 

 patch, and by the blackness of the ear-feathers, and of the neck all round. " This Wagtail," says 

 Jerdon, " is found throughout Southern and Central India, extending into the North-western Provinces, 

 Sindh, the Punjaub, and Affghanistan. Adams, however, says that he did not see it in Peshawur, 

 and that the former species is the Common Wagtail of Cashmere. It is also found in Ceylon. It is 

 not very abundant in the extreme south of the peninsula, but is very common in the Deccan and in 

 Central India, coming in about the middle of October and leaving in March or April. It is a very 

 familiar bird, feeding close to houses, stables, and in gardens ; often, indeed, entering verandahs, and 

 coming into an open room if not disturbed. It runs about briskly after small insects, and is very 

 active in catching the flies that infest the vicinity of stables and outhouses. A small party of these 

 birds may often be seen towards evening on the bank of a river or tank, though, when feeding, they 

 are usually solitary." 



THE ROCK WAGTAIL. 



The Rock Wagtail {Motacilla Lichtmsteinii) inhabits the valley of the Nile, and frequents such 

 parts of that river as are traversed by rocks or huge masses of stone. Its plumage is simple but 

 striking in its coloration ; the entire mantle, sides of throat, and breast, are of a rich deep black ; a 

 stripe over the eyes, a patch on the throat, a spot on the wing-covers, the exterior tail-feathers, and 

 under side are white ; the eye is brown ; the beak and feet black. In its movements this species 

 closely resembles those of its family already described, but is distinguished from them by its habit of 

 frequenting such portions of rock or stone as are entirely surrounded by water ; in Nubia it is very 

 common, but is rarely met with in any but the most stony districts. According to our own 

 experience the Rock Wagtail lives in pairs, each couple keeping within the limits of its own domain, 

 and violently resenting any attempt at intrusion. Like the rest of their .brethren these birds are 



