their comparative Numbers and Distribution, 631 



unfortunately, have not preserved a specimen, supposing 

 them to have been merely a particular state of plumage of 

 the common species, which I could at any time procure at 

 my leisure. I had never compared the two together ; which, 

 perhaps, I should have been tempted to do, had M. Tem- 

 minck stated that they were apt to be confounded one with 

 another. I think I may safely venture to assert that the true 

 M. alba is not of unfrequent occurrence here, at least in the 

 summer months. I particularly remember to have shot it at 

 Beddington, and also in Streatham Park, both near this 

 place. All that I have lately examined, in their winter dress, 

 have been M. lugubris.* 



The M. alba being the Bcrgeronette grise of the French, 

 and the term grey wagtail being alike applicable to it and to 

 M. Boarula, I shall, in consequence, designate the latter bird 

 by the appellation yellow-rumped wagtail, which is sufficiently 

 exclusive. This species is only a winter visitant in these 

 parts, and is by no means common. No instance has been 

 hitherto recorded of its breeding in the south of England. 

 1 once, however, observed a pair, I think in the summer of 

 1831, which had evidently a nest in the neighbourhood, 

 upon Penge Common, Kent; but this is the only instance. 

 It usually arrives here about the middle of September, and 

 departs very early in the spring. One was singing cheer- 

 fully near my residence a few days ago. 



Golden Willet (Budytes flavissima). Extremely common : 

 arrives early in April, and betakes itself to the pastures and 

 sheep-walks ; and departs late in September, at which time 

 they incline to be social ; as do, also, all the other species of 

 the wagtail group. In summer, it is every where plentiful 

 aqout the fields and meadows, and does not habitually fre- 

 quent watery places. One or two bird-catchers, to whom I 

 have described the blue-headed species, seemed to recognise 

 the bird, which they tell me they remember to have occa- 

 sionally taken in their nets, though very rarely. It seems 

 to be most plentiful in Scotland. 



A'nthus aqudticus Auctorum. Here, again, there appears 

 to be two species confounded. The common British bird is 

 partly characterised by the confused indistinctness of its breast 

 markings, and the absence of pure white on the exterior tail- 

 feathers ; though there is always a pale spot. We are again 

 indebted to Mr. Gould for this discovery, who has done so 



* Perhaps it would be better (as, in future, it will be difficult to under- 

 stand which is meant by alba) to designate the pale wagtail M. albeola. 

 For the same reason, I prefer flavissima for the common British species 

 of Budytes. 



