232 MOTACILLA YARRELLI. 



most part of the day wrought at the limestone, which they 

 occasionally blew up with powder. There the female laid and 

 hatched four eggs. She and the male became so familiar with 

 them that they flew in and out without shewing the least signs 

 of fear, but if I approached (so quickly did they recognise a 

 stranger) they immediately flew ofi", and would not return until 

 I had departed at least five or six hundred yards from their- 

 abode." 



" At Colinsheils Coal-work, in the Parish of Bathgate, Lin- 

 lithgowshire, in May 1887, a pair of Pied Wagtails made 

 choice of a singular situation where they erected their abode. 

 It was beneath the strike-board, the wooden platform upon 

 which the hutches, wdien filled with coals, are put. Although 

 they struck against it with considerable force every time that 

 they were drawn up to the top of the pit, the Wagtails never- 

 theless brought up to maturity a family of five young ones. 

 With the colliers and other individuals connected with the 

 work they became quite familiar, and flew in and out within a 

 few feet of them without shewing the least symptoms of fear. 

 The nest was built beneath that part of the platform upon 

 which the banksman stood when he took hold of the hutches, 

 and within three or four inches of his feet." 



The ordinary note of this species is a sharp cheep. When 

 alarmed or otherwise agitated, it flies about in a wavering man- 

 ner, uttering a repetition of this note, and alarming the small 

 birds in the neighbourhood. In sunny weather, especially in 

 the mornings, it may be heard singing a pleasant, mellow, and 

 modulated little song. Its flight is light, buoyant, and undu- 

 lated : it propels itself by a repetition of smart flaps, ascends in 

 a curved line, then ceases for a moment, descends in a curve, 

 repeats the motion of its wings, and thus proceeds as if by starts, 

 and with great velocity. Like many other birds, it is not fond 

 of flying down the wind, but prefers an oblique course. In its 

 habits it is quite terrestrial ; at least I have never seen it search 

 for food on trees, bushes, or even herbaceous plants, although it 

 not unfrequently perches on a hedge or bush when disturbed 

 in the breeding season. 



It is curious to observe this species pursuing its prey in diffe- 



