} 



GREY-AND-YELLOW WAGTAIL. 239 



gone out to describe the actions of the Grey Wagtail. There 

 it is. What shall I say respecting it ? "A regular winter 

 visitant in the southern parts of the kingdom, but in the nor- 

 thern a summer visitant," frequents the sides of rivers, runs 

 w^itli celerity, nestles on the ground or in holes, lays five eggs, 

 and rears two broods in the year I No, — thou beautiful little 

 thing, thou deservest more regard than those men are willing 

 to bestow upon thee. How prettily and pleasantly thou runnest 

 along the sandy margin of the brook ! The pattering of thy 

 tiny feet can be heard only by fairy ears, so light is thy slender 

 frame, which vibrates as if thy joints were too delicate, and thy 

 muscles too sensitive for thee to fix them for a moment in 

 rest. The gentle breeze that scarce bends the young grass, 

 curves the long feathers of thy tail, and the sudden blast 

 sweeps thee away quivering and emitting thy shrill notes ; 

 but thou hast alighted again, and runnest along, search- 

 ing for thy favourite food, the small insects that gambol 

 in the warm sunshine, and the wormlets that wriggle in the 

 moist earth. Thy partner is now by thy side ; thou hast no 

 care, no sorrow ; thy vesture is such as no art could weave, 

 thy knowledge such as no philosophy could supply, thy simple 

 spirit is pleased with simple pleasures, and thou carest not 

 what of evil or of good may be thy lot. Happy bird ! thou 

 wilt fly with thy beloved, cleaving the air like an arrow, to 

 some retired spot in the valley, thou wilt search out a place for 

 thy nest where the willows fringe the clear brook, thou wilt 

 gather many bits of straw, many hairs and feathers, thou wilt 

 see thy mate seated on her dear eggs, wilt supply her with food 

 day after day, wilt take her place for a while, and talk to her 

 in thy simple style until thy young ones burst the shell. Then 

 what bustle from morn till night to provide those six open 

 throats with suitably delicate and nutritious food ! and often 

 wilt thou and thy partner pinch yourselves to afford them that 

 abundant supply necessary for their growth. Soon will ye 

 lead them to the margins of the eddying pool, and there, with 

 your family around you, ye will sport in the sunshine, as ye 

 do now, pursuing your avocations in peace and security. Soon 

 again ye will form another nest, and rear another brood ; and 



