DETAILED LIST OF BIRDS. 
225 
back, scapulars, and lesser coverts, velvet black. A fine 
male measured seven incbes long; wing, 3''*4; bill at front, 
0"*58 ; tarsus, ; and hind toe and claw, 0*95. [G. HJ] 
The species described by Dr. Jerdon as Budytes citreola 
has now been clearly proved not to be the B. citreola of 
Pallas, the male of which, even in the breeding season, 
never becomes black on the back, but only has a black cowl 
behind the yellow head, the rest of the back remaining 
grey. This is a matter absolutely beyond dispute now, as is 
shown by Pallas' original description, and the remarks of 
Middendorf and others. It is quite true that Mons. 
Verreaux named specimens with the black back as 
B. citreola, and that black-backed specimens often do duty 
for this species both in English and continental museums; 
but Mr. Brookes has carefully investigated this question — 
has obtained specimens from Lake Baikal for comparison, 
and both he and I have very large series of the two species, 
both of which are common in the plains of India in the 
cold season. I have worked out the whole question with 
him, and there remains no possibility of doubt that the 
Black-backed Yellow-headed Wagtail is quite distinct from 
Pallas' B. citreola. Independent of the colouring of the 
back, our bird is considerably larger and has a much longer 
bill, and the only point that remains to be decided is what 
name it ought to bear. I considered that it was the 
B. aureocapilla of Vieillot, and in this Mr. Blyth concurred 
with me ; but I was unable to refer to this author's descrip- 
tion, and Lord Walden, who has done so, informs us that 
B. aureocapilla is really identical with B. citreola. Is the 
bird, then, B. calcaratus, of Hodgson ? I do not think so. 
I subjoin,* for facility of reference, Hodgson's original 
* Hodgson's original description in As. Kes. vol. xix. p. 190. 
" Genus : Motacilla, anctorum. 
" Sub-genus : Budytes, Cuvier. 
" Species, new : calcarata nobis, closely allied to M. neglecta. 
Obviously distinguishable from the typical Wagtails by the shortness of 
the tail, the superior height and strength of the tarsi, and the longer, 
straighter, and extremely acuminated nails, the hind one of which is longer 
than its toe, and, in our species as nearly straight as may be. Seven 
and three-quarters inches long, whereof the tail is but three and a half, 
Q 
