3 
only typical JZ. flava. It was, however, obtained by Mr. C. W. Wyatt in the peninsula of Sinai, 
as I haye ascertained by an examination of a specimen sent by him to Canon Tristram. In 
North-east Africa it is, according to Captain Shelley (B. of Egypt, p. 129), “the most abundant 
form of Yellow Wagtail in Egypt, where it appears to remain throughout the year. It is very 
Pipit-like in its habits, and is more frequently met with in pairs and flocks in the fields than by 
the water’s edge.” Von Heuglin, however, says that, as far as his experience goes, none but 
M. melanocephala ever remain to breed in North-east Africa, but during winter the present 
species appears to pass as far south at least as Abyssinia. On the west side it is recorded by 
Loche, who says that he obtained one near Médéah; and it also occurs near Algiers, but it is 
rare, and he does not know if it ever remains there to breed. 
To the eastward the present species occurs as far as China. It is a tolerably common 
winter visitant to India, but does not appear to be so common as JZ. flava and MW. melanocephala. 
It probably ranges as far south as the former of these species; but I find it somewhat difficult to 
trace its precise range. Severtzoff speaks of it as being somewhat rare in Turkestan, where, he 
adds, it occurs during passage, not remaining to breed. It occurs in Siberia, and examples 
obtained by Middendorff on the Boganida appear to be the present species. According to 
Dr. G. Radde it is found in the Stanowoi Mountains and on the Upper Ussuri; but the Yellow 
Wagtail described by Von Schrenck as occurring in the Amoor country appears to be true 
M. flava, and not the present species, which, however, was obtained in China by Mr. Swinhoe, 
whose specimens, however, are all frem Amoy and Canton. 
In its habits the present species does not differ from Motacilla flava; and its nest and eggs 
are also similar. I have taken the latter near Uleaborg, in Finland, and find on comparing the 
eggs with those of 17. flava that they are a trifle darker, though not differing from them in size 
or shape. The nest was placed under shelter of a tussock, on the ground, and was a rather 
loosely made structure, composed of dried grass bents and a few rootlets, slightly lined with 
finer bents and a few horsehairs. 
The specimen figured, on the same Plate with Motacilla flava, is an adult male from Mezen, 
in North Russia, in my collection. 
In the preparation of the above article I have examined the following specimens :— 
E Mus. H. E. Dresser. 
a, Christiania, Norway, May 1870. 6,3. Mezen, N. Russia, June 17th, 1873 (Piottuch). c. Archangel, 
June 8th, 1872 (J. A. Harvie-Brown). d, e, f,g, 3. Piedmont, April 1870 (Count Salvadori). h, 2, k, /. 
Piedmont, May 1870 (Count Salvadori). m. Algeria (Verreaux). n. Egypt (Rogers). 0. Etawah, 
N.W. India, September 22nd, 1869 (W. E. Brooks). p, 3. Htawah, February Ist, 1870 (W. H. B.). 
E Mus. Howard Saunders. 
a. Granada, Spain, September 1871. 
E Mus. H. J. Elwes. 
a, 3. Etawah, December 19th, 1870. 6. Etawah, November 2lst, 1870 (W. H. Brooks). c. Tientsin, China, 
(Whitely). 
atl 
