Notes of the Grey and Spring Wagtails, 577 



ings of hunger, unable to make way against the storm ; and 

 often, during the winter, they can only make a short daily 

 excursion in quest of a precarious morsel of food." 



Similar storms may obtain at the time and place of the 

 intended departure of any species of bird, and cause it to 

 defer its migration until a more conducive state of weather is 

 established.] 



Art. VI. On the Habits and Note of the Grey Wagtail^ and on 

 the Note of the Spring Wagtail, By T. G., of Clitheroe, Lan- 

 cashire. 



We have the grey wagtail with us the whole year ; but it 

 is rather a rare bird at all times, and in all the localities for it 

 with which I am acquainted. I very strongly suspect that 

 Selby is mistaken about this bird when he says, that, " pre- 

 vious to its departure in September, it assembles in small 

 flocks or families, which haunt the meadows or bare pas- 

 tures." This does not agree with my observations on it ; 

 although it is quite true, if applied to the spring wagtail. 

 On the contrary, the grey wagtail, which stays with us through 

 the winter, is a solitary bird, except in the breeding season ; 

 and the young ones, which certainly associate in broods for a 

 month or two after leaving the nest, are dispersed before 

 September. As to their frequenting the meadows and bare 

 pastures, although I see them at all times of the year (and a 

 pair or two breed, every year, near my house), and although 

 they are birds with whose peculiar note and habits I am as 

 well acquainted as I am with those of the house sparrow, yet 

 I have never known them frequent the fields at any time. As 

 far as I have observed them, they invariably seek their food 

 on the beds of the rivers, brooks, and ditches ; where their 

 shrill note often betrays them to persons who would otherwise 

 never see them. 



This bird may be distinguished from the spring wagtail, 

 very easily, by its note, at any time, but particularly when 

 flying ; yet, notwithstanding that the difference is very appa- 

 rent to a person who hears both, it is not so easy to describe it. 

 In attempting to do this, I hope, therefore, I shall be excused 

 if I do not make it so obvious in the description as it is in 

 reality. The latter part of the note of the grey wagtail is a 

 little higher in the musical scale than the former part; and it 

 is very staccato. Thus : — 

 Vol, VII.~No.43. pp 



