80 
4 
Colonel Irby does not include it in his work on the ornithology of the Straits of Gibraltar. It 
has been recorded from the Gambia and Gold Coast; Dr. G. Hartlaub says (J. f. O. 1854, p. 20) 
that there are examples from the Gambia in the Bremen Museum, and from the Gold Coast in 
the Hamburg Museum; and Messrs. Finsch and Hartlaub refer to a fully adult male, in summer 
plumage, from the Gaboon, examined by them. Mr. Gurney also states (Ibis, 1873, p. 282) that 
a male in full plumage was sent from the Transvaal by Mr. F. Ayres. 
How far eastward the present species is found is hard to say; but it certainly occurs in 
Turkestan, of which, according to Severtzoff (/. c.), it inhabits the entire western portion, being 
met with to an altitude of about 4500 feet above the sea-level, but is a rare bird. 
It is said to have occurred as far east as China; but the species found there has been discri- 
minated and described as distinct by Mr. Swinhoe under the name of Budytes taivanus ; and after 
having carefully examined his specimens and compared them with my series of the present species, 
I fully concur with him in considering the Chinese bird to be a fairly separable and distinct 
species. 
In its habits the present species closely resembles the other Yellow Wagtails, and, like 
those, is not unfrequently seen perching on a twig or branch, as well as on the ground. It 
frequents grassy downs, pastures where cattle are grazing, fallow land, and fields of sprouting 
corn, and does not affect the vicinity of inhabited places, like the Pied Wagtail. Soon after its 
arrival with us it commences nidification; and so soon as the young are able to fly they accom- 
pany their parents in search of food. In the autumn, previous to their departure, they collect in 
small flocks, and may then usually be seen following the cattle in search of insects which are 
disturbed as the cattle move about, or which collect round when they are reclining. Like the 
other Wagtails the present species feeds entirely on insects of various kinds, chiefly small flies, 
which it will often catch on the wing with great dexterity. It runs with great ease, vibrating 
its body, and every now and then spreads its tail slightly or moves it gently. Its flight is a 
succession of long undulations; and on alighting it slightly spreads the tail so as to show the 
white on the lateral rectrices. The call of the present species consists of two notes uttered in 
succession, the second being a whole tone lower than the first; and the song of the male bird is 
short, and not often uttered. 
Its nest, like that of MWotacilla flava, is placed on the ground, sometimes under shelter of 
a clod or tussock, and always tolerably well concealed amongst the herbage. Nests I have taken 
were constructed of dried grass bents and small rootlets, lined with finer rootlets, bents, and hair ; 
and in one or two instances some sheep’s wool was used in the lining. Professor Newton states 
that two nests found by Mr. Hewitson on the same day, and within a few yards of each other, 
were composed, one of green moss and grass, lined with rabbit’s down, and the other entirely of 
grass, lined with fine roots. The eggs, from four to six in number, closely resemble those of 
Motacilla flava; and on comparing my series of eggs of these two species I can detect no constant 
difference either in colour or size. 
The specimens figured are an adult male in full spring plumage, an autumn-plumaged 
British-killed bird, and one of the yellow-headed old birds from Southern Russia, these being 
the specimens described, all of which are in my collection. 
