260 EGGS OF BRITISH BIRDS. 



The nest is built in various situations, amongst the gnarled 

 roots of trees, on the margin of a stream, in a rugged bank, or on 

 the wall-plate of a cattle-shed, whilst less frequently a hole in 

 thatch, a pile of wood, a haystack, or a heap of stones will be 

 chosen. The nest is a somewhat bulky structure, thickly matted 

 together, and made of dry grass, roots, moss, and leaves, and 

 lined with wonderful neatness with wool, hair, and often with 

 feathers. 



The eggs of the Pied Wagtail are from four to six in number, 

 greyish- white or the palest of blue in ground-colour, profusely 

 speckled and spotted with greyish-brown, and with underlying 

 markings of French grey. Some specimens have the markings 

 more or less streaky, and on many there are a few hair-like 

 streaks of rich blackish-brown. They vary in length from 0"86 

 to 0"75 inch and in breadth from O'b'3 to 056 inch, and many 

 specimens closely resemble certain varieties of those of the 

 House Sparrow, but are seldom so elongated. 



THE WHITE WAGTAIL. 



(Mutacilla alba.) 

 Plate 58, Figs. 19, 20. 



The White Wagtail was first noticed in England in May, 1841, 

 by the late Mr. F. Bond, who found it breeding at Kingsbury 

 reservoir. Since that date many other specimens have been 

 obtained, chiefly in spring, leading to the conclusion that a few 

 come every year to this country to nest. It breeds throughout 

 Europe as far north as land extends. In the northern portions of 

 its range it is a migratory bird, and it winters in South Europe, 

 where some also remain to breed on the mountains. It nests 

 also in Siberia, as far east as the valley of the Yenisei, and as 

 far north as land extends. 



The nesting-site selected by the White Wagtail is precisely 

 similar to that chosen by the Pied Wagtail, and the nest is made 

 of similar materials. 



The eggs of this species are five or six in number, and vary 

 considerably. They vary in length from 0'88 to 0'7 inch, and in 

 breadth from 062 to 0"55 inch. It is very difficult to distinguish 



