210 BUDYTES l^LAVA. 



lower part of the fore-neck ; the head and hind-neck are of a 

 duller grey, and the rest of the upper parts more tinged with 

 greyish-brown. 



Length to end of tail 6j inches ; bill along the ridge f | ; 

 wing from flexure Sj% ; tail 2{^ ; tarsus ^^^ ; hind toe f|, 

 its claw /g. 



Habits. — This species is said to be generally distributed over 

 the continent, and to frequent the margins of lakes and rivers, 

 as well as meadows, where it searches for insects and larvse, on 

 which it exclusively feeds. I am not aware of its having been 

 found in Scotland, being of opinion that the individuals men- 

 tioned as having occurred there belonged to the next species, 

 but of which the feathers of the head appeared greyish-brown, 

 owing to the abrasion of their yellowish margins. It was 

 first distinguished from that species by Mr Gould, who gave 

 it the name of Motacilla neglecta, but who subsequently found 

 it to be the common Yellow Wagtail of the Continent, and 

 therefore, probably the 31. flava of Linn?eus. In summer it 

 is said to extend its migration to Sweden, Norway, and Lap- 

 land ; and it is stated to occur in Japan and Northern India, 

 from which latter country there is a specimen in my collection, 

 and another in the museum of the University of Edinburgh. 

 The habits of this species have not been minutely detailed by 

 authors, and I have had no opportunities of seeing it alive, the 

 descriptions here given being taken from French specimens ; 

 but it is said to resemble the next in this respect as well as in 

 its nidification, its eggs, five or six in number, being scarcely 

 distinguishable from those of that bird. 



Variations. — I have seen a pure white individual. The 

 lateral tail-feathers vary in the proportion of white, as in the 

 other species. Sometimes the outer quill is longest, and some- 

 times the next. 



Changes. — Toward autumn the yellowish tints of the upper 

 parts disappear, the plumage becoming greyish-brown, and the 

 lower parts are almost white. A specimen in which the moult 



