OBEY WAGTAIL 107 



rambles. To its other charms may be added that of melody. Its 

 spring song is sweet and lively, a little like that of the swallow in 

 character, and is uttered as the bird hovers in the air. The alarm- 

 note is like that of the pied wagtaU, a sharp double note, emitted 

 as the bird passes away in imdulating flight. 



The grey wagtail is more exclusively a bird of the waterside 

 than either of the other two species, seldom being met with away 

 from the margins of its beloved mountain streams ; in its flight, 

 motions on the ground, and manner of taking its insect prey, it 

 closely resembles the pied and yellow wagtails, the only difference 

 being that it is even more volatile, and that it is the most graceful 

 of these three feathered Graces. 



The nest is made on the ground, concealed by grass and herb- 

 age, or under a bush, and often under the shelter of an overhanging 

 rock. It is formed of fibrous roots, dry grass, and moss, and lined 

 with hair, wool, and feathers. The eggs are five or six lq number, 

 French white or grey in ground-colour, mottled and spotted with 

 pale brown and olive. 



Yellow Wagtail. 

 Motacilla rayii. 



Top of head, lore, nape, back, and scapulars greenish olive ; a 

 bright yellow streak over the eye ; lower parts sulphinr-yellow 

 Length, six inches. 



The yeUow wagtail is a summer visitor, arriving at the end of 

 March or early in April in this country, and is found very nearly in 

 all parts of England, and is also common in the southern counties 

 of Scotland ; farther north it is rare, and in Ireland it is only known 

 to breed in one locality. On its arrival it frequents open downs and 

 eheepwalks, pastures, commons, and arable lands, more especially 

 fields where spring sowing is in progress. On this account it has 

 been named in some districts the barley-bird and oat-seed-bird, and 

 in Scotland seed-bird and seed-lady — the last a suitable appellation 

 for so sweet and dainty a creature. Seebohm says of ifc : * Its active, 

 Bylph-like movements, and its delicate form and lovely plumage, 

 make it a general favourite.' In its motions on the ground, its 

 tail shaking and fanning gestures, and in its fitful curving and 

 dipping flight, accompanied with a sharp double call-note, it closely 

 resembles the species already described. From the pied wagtail it 



