242 The Scottish Naturalist. 



complete failure of the turnip crop in North Lincolnshire in 1868, 

 not a Wagtail remained." This, however, seems not to apply so 

 much to this district, as the Wagtail almost exclusively confines 

 itself in winter to the margin of the river, and I have scarcely 

 ever noticed them at that season in the turnip-fields, and not 

 even during the severe w^eather above mentioned, when frozen 

 out elsewhere. 



54. Calobates sulphurea, Kaup. (Grey Wagtail.) 



The Grey Wagtail is well represented throughout, and is gener- 

 ally resident with us during the whole year, excepting in very 

 severe seasons; and on all our rivers and burns they may be con- 

 tinually seen coursing along the shingles, or balancing themselves 

 with their long graceful tails on some boulder in mid-stream, the 

 companion of the Water-Ousel. They are much attached to the 

 same locality, and I have know^n them keep to the same spot for 

 many years. They seem to be early breeders, as I have noticed 

 the young birds flying by the middle of May. In England, dur- 

 ing the summer months, it is comparatively a rare bird, being 

 there chiefly a winter visitant, arriving in large numbers in Sep- 

 tember, and leaving in March. In this district — especially in 

 the lower part of it — large accessions arrive every autumn, chiefly 

 young birds, w'hich, after a short stay, move further soutli. Be- 

 fore concluding with the Wagtails, I may mention that the true 

 Yellow Wagtail {Biidytes Rayi, Bonap.), so common in England 

 and some other parts of Scotland, has never been noticed by me 

 as yet in this district, though constantly searched for ; nor have 

 I been able to ascertain that it has been observed anywhere in 

 Perthshire. 



55. Anthus pratensis, Bechst. (Meadow-Pipit.) 



Abundant throughout the whole district, generally remaining 

 in winter, excepting in very severe w^eather, when it retires to the 

 coast. 



56. Anthus arp.oreus, Bechst. (Tree-Pipit.) 



The Tree-Pipit I first noticed some years ago in the Faskally 

 woods, and since then I have frequently met with it in the lower 

 part of the district, and believe it will be found to breed regu- 

 larly at Moncreiffe, Methven, and elsewhere. It may, however, 

 be considered as rare, and rather local in its habits. 



