218 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



590. Motacilla luzoniensis, Scopoli. 



Blyth, Cat. 770— IIoi:sf., Cat. 553— M. alboides, Hodgs.— 

 M.leucopsis, Gould — Dhobin, H., i.e. washer-woman. — Tangzhen- 

 jfleu, Lepch. 



TnE White-faced Wagtail. 



Descr. — In summer plumage, the occiput, nape, and upper parts 

 generally, deep black, also a large patch on the breast ; abroad 

 frontal band, sides of head (including the eye), and neck, large 

 wing-patch, the two outermost tail-feathers on each side, and the 

 lower parts, white. 



In winter plumage, the back, shoulder, and rump are ashy 

 grey, the occiput, nape, and breast-band alone being black. The 

 female is a trifle smaller than the male, and the black perhaps not 

 quite so deep. 



Bill and legs black; irides brown. Length nearly -8 inches; 

 extent 11| ; wing 3f ; tail 3| ; bill at front f ; tarsus f. 



This and the next Wagtail may be considered the representa- 

 tives of M. alba, and M. Yavrelli of Europe. The present species is 

 found in Northern India chiefly, and most abundant to the Eastward, 

 extending to Assam, Burmah, China, and the Philippines. It is very 

 common in Bengal, and extends north and west to Nepal, and 

 part of Central India, but is replaced in the south and west by the 

 next species. Adams, indeed, gives it from Cashmere and Ladakh, 

 but he may not have correctly distinguished it fiom the next 

 bird. 



It affects the vicinity of houses, huts, and gardens, and runs 

 about picking* up various small insects. Its arrival in India, which 

 takes place about the end of September, is looked on as the first 

 intimation of the ensuing cold weather. Most of the birds, in the 

 north of India, have assumed their summer plumage before quitting 

 the country. Swinhoe states that a ^ew pairs breed in China, but 

 that most of them go still further north. 



591. Motacilla dukhunensis, Sykes. 



Cat. 86— M. alba, Jerdon, Cat. 140— Blyth, Cat 769— Horsf., 

 Cat. 554— Dhobin, H. 



