216 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



This species has been lately described from specimens transmit- 

 ted from Sikhim by Mr. Hodgson, but we are ignorant of its par- 

 ticular haunts. It differs from the last species, which it otherwise 

 greatly resembles in size and coloration, by the forehead being 

 black, and the throat and breast being mottled instead of pure 

 black. This latter character however is rather a mark of nonage. 



Other recorded species of this genus are E. Leschenaultii, T., E. 

 velatus, T., and E. frontalis, Bl., from Malacca and Java. E. rufica- 

 pillus, T, by its coloration and stronger bill, appears to belong to 

 a distinct type, leading to the Thrushes. 



2nd. — Wagtails. 

 We next come to the true Wagtails, which differ from the Pipits 

 by their more lengthened tail which they flirt or wag up and 

 down. They never rise singing into the air, as the last-mentioned 

 birds do sometimes. They have a double moult. The Wagtails 

 comprise four groups, distinguished by their mode of coloration, 

 and the length and curvature of the hind claw. 



1st. — Water Wagtails. 



Gen. Motacilla, Lin. (as restricted). 



Char. — Bill moderate, straight, slender, compressed at the tip 

 which is very slightly notched ; nostrils apert ; rictus almost 

 smooth ; wings long, pointed, with nine primary quills, the first two 

 subequal and longest ; tertiaries lengthened, equal to the primaries ; 

 tail long, slender, nearly even ; tarsus moderately long, slender, 

 obscurely scutulate ; feet moderate ; hind toe short ; claws slightly 

 curved ; hind claw small, more curved. 



The Water Wagtails are usually colored black and white, more 

 or less mixed with grey, and their tails are much lengthened. 

 Their summer plumage is usually very distinct from that of the 

 winter, showing much more black. They are in the habit of 

 frequenting the neighbourhood of water, but they also affect towns 

 and villages. They are pretty and lively birds, and some have a 

 sweet song. They are found throughout the Old World, and most 

 of them are migratory, one only being a permanent resident in 

 India. 



