230 MOTACILLA YARRELLI. 



may fiud more secm'e footing. Now, it runs into the meadow, 

 in pursuit of a fly, which it has no sooner caught than it spies 

 another. The lazy geese, that have nibbled the grass bare, 

 allow it to pass in the midst of them without molestation, or 

 if some malicious gander or foolish gosling attempts to seize it, 

 they find that they have given themselves too much credit for 

 dexterity. There the cows are grazing, in the midst of a swarm 

 of gnats and other insects, and the Wagtail has arrived in their 

 vicinity. Running forward it catches a small fly, bends to one 

 side to seize another, darts to the right after a third, and springs 

 some feet into the air before it secures a fourth. Now see it 

 picking among the old dung, where there are doubtless many 

 larvae concealed, again running off in pursuit of a fly, passing 

 close to the cow's nose, or among her feet. There, while in 

 pursuit, it encounters another of its own species ; but they 

 quarrel not, no doubt aware that there is room enough for 

 them in the world, or even in the meadow, which you now see 

 to be covered with wagtails, all busily occupied, some walking, 

 others running, a few flying off, and many arriving. You may 

 walk in among them ; they are not very shy, for they will 

 allow you to come within fifteen yards or sometimes less ; and 

 you may shoot as many as you please, for although some will 

 fly ofl" others will remain, and of the former a few will settle 

 in the neighbourhood. Day after day you will find them here, 

 when the tide is out. At other times you may search for them 

 by the edges of the river, along the mill-dam, in the meadows, 

 or even in the dry pastures. Occasionally you may see them 

 perched on a roof, a wall, or a large stone, but very rarely on 

 a tree or bush. Towards the middle of October many of them 

 take their departure from the middle and southern parts of 

 Scotland, and the rest wander over the country, frequenting 

 watery places, and in hard weather approaching houses, search- 

 ing the sides of the roads, the dunghills, and even the cottage 

 doors. In most parts of the south of Scotland, they are not at 

 all uncommon in winter ; but in England they are much more 

 abundant. 



About the beginning of March the migratory movement com- 

 mences. Many remain in the south, but many also move north- 



