THE WHITE WAGTAIL. 217 



He is the smallest bird which runs, and in the beginning of autumn may 

 be seen early in the morning, on the slated roofs of our houses, catching 

 flies which settle there in sunny mornings, or basking in the mild rays. He 

 is usually accompanied by his mate and offspring, which may easily be dis. 

 tinguished from their parents by their gray plumage, as much as those parents 

 themselves may be known from each other by the black chin of the cock, 

 (the hen's being white,) and the much lighter colour of her markings. They 

 seem very sociable birds, and I think do not have a second brood'. Keeping 

 together in their breeding parties of five or six, and sometimes more, on 

 newly-ploughed lands and pastures, where they follow about the cattle, feeding 

 on the flies that assemble around grazing animals, which probably also actuates 

 them in the other case, although some have thought they follow the ploughman 

 in pursuit of grubs. They are tame birds, and on these occasions will allow 

 you to approach very near. 



Their note is a high chirrup, and beyond this they have no song; but this 

 clear little note sounds very lively along the margins of fresh waters, which 

 they are extremely fond of frequenting, and not uncommonly build their 

 inartificial nests, constructed of dry grass and feathers, and containing usually 

 five white eggs speckled with dark brown, in a hollow of the bank; and from 

 the time that they lead forth their broods, may be seen at all times till 

 nesting-time comes round again, and their parental labours are renewed with 

 the spring of the ensuing year. 



There are two other kinds of Wagtails known in England, but they so 

 nearly resemble that species which I have just described in manners and 

 form, that I shall only mention the particulars wherein they differ from it. 

 The first of these is the Yellow Wagtail, {Motacilla flava.) This is a beau- 

 tiful little creature, being somewhat smaller than the white kind, and the 

 cock bird of a brilliant yellow beneath, mixed with grayish green on the 

 upper parts; the hen being both smaller and much duller in her hues. This 

 species is migratory, and only visits us in summer, that is, the mass of them, 

 for very many only perform a partial migration to the warmer parts of Britain 

 in winter. They build their nests and breed in retired places; their eggs much 

 resembling the common species, but somewhat smaller. 



The third kind is the Gray Wagtail, [Motacilla hoarula,) which is a rara 

 avis with us; being gray above with a black throat, and partially yellow 

 beneath, and rather larger than the last. I have always had a great 

 deal of doubt whether this is a distinct species or not, for the fact of its 

 combining in so striking a manner, the characteristics of both the other 

 species, is no mean presumption in favour of its being a mixed kind, for I 

 never saw a nest or the bird itself in any number.* 



* Siace writiug the above, which was founded on such personal and hearsay knowledge as 

 I then possesded, I have had opportunities of meeting with the like parties of the Gray Wagtails, 

 old birds and their broods, as in the ease of the common "Water "Wagtail, but I was never able 

 to obtain a nest. — 0. S. R. 



VOL. III. 2 F 



