THK WAfilAILS, 



213 



the axis of the body is horizonta], so ihat the shoulders must d'qi mucli wlicn llic bill is 

 brought to a level with tlic feet. A bii'd so formed would be verj- apt to tumble forwards 

 if it had not some means of working a couiiti'rpoise, and tluit eounterpoise is the tail. 

 "N^Hien that is expanded and struck forward against the air, it acts in nearty the same 

 manner as a wing, and pulls the body of the bird backwards, so that the liead is raised 

 with comparatively little effort. All birds that liave the same length of tarsi in propor- 

 tion to that of the neck and bill, have a similar action of the tail ; but as that structure, 

 and also the habit of picking up fViod on a level with the feet, is more remarkable in the 

 wagtails than in any other Eritish birds, the motion of the tail is more powerful in them, 

 and the tail is also longer in proportion. But the habit may be seen in very many birds, 



THE PIED WAGTAIL, FEMALE. 



both in enabling them to raise the head, and to retain it in an erect position. The 

 magpie is a familiar instance, and so is the peacock — which would tumble backwards if 

 he were to raise the body in the same manner when the tail is down as he does when it is 

 erected and spread." 



THE GRAY ^^■AGTAIL.* 



This is a beautiful .species of the wagtails. These birds are found throughout 

 Europe ; but in the greatest numbers in mountainous and wooded parts, where the brooks 

 flow over beds of pebbles. They are birds of passage. 



THE YELT/)^V WAGTAIL, f 



When wild, this species, better known than the preceding, is foimd throughout the 

 plains of Europe, running about the pastures among the sheep and cattle. They 

 assemble in SciJtember, and depart for warmer countries in large flights, uttering the 

 cry, " 'iipp, sijij).'" in a clear tone. Its nest, made of stubble, and lined with -nool, is 

 placed at the water-side, or in a deserted molehill, and sometimes, like the larks, in the 

 grass or corn. 



MotacilUi Boavula.- -Liini. 



t Motacilla Flava. — I.inu. 



