$6 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



IPcUow Magtail. 



The Yellow Wagtail {Motacilla rati, Bonaparte) is a widely 

 distributed common summer visitor to the British Isles. 

 It also nests in Central and Western Europe, and 

 spends the winter in Africa. The adult male in summer 

 has the general colour above, olive-yellow; under parts, 

 bright yellow ; superciliary stripe, yellow ; wings, dark 

 brown; wing-coverts and secondaries, tipped and mar- 

 gined with yellowish-white; tail-feathers, blackish-brown, 

 with the exception of the two outer pairs, which are 

 white ; irides, dark brown ; bill, legs, and feet, black. 

 Length, about six inches. The adult female is similar 

 to the adult male, but the colours are duller, and show a 

 brown tinge on the back. The young somewhat resemble 

 the female, but have the throat and chest light fawn colour ; 

 there are also brown spots on the chest ; remainder of 

 under parts, yellow. 



