YELLOW WAGTAIL. 129 



with the newly arrived birds ; in the higher lying districts 

 it is a few days later in arriving. The first immigrants are 

 generally male birds only ; later both sexes are met with 

 in about equal proportions. Although it has been stated 

 that this species is found in the north of England in March, 

 these early arrivals are extremely rare, and I am not aware 

 of any authentic instance in this county. 



As a breeding species it is rather local, and nowhere in 

 Yorkshire is it so abundant as in the high moorland dales 

 of the north-west ; the upper valleys of the Tees, Swale, and 

 Ure, and the lower reaches of the Nidd being favourite 

 localities for its nesting quarters ; and up to 1300 feet elevation 

 the bird commonly haunts the fields and pastures bordering 

 the rivers and their tributaries. It is not uncommon in the 

 central parts of the West Riding, but in the North and East 

 Ridings it is more frequently seen on passage than as a 

 nester, though in the Beverley district it is generally 

 distributed. 



In late July and August both old and young assemble 

 in small flocks in readiness to depart, and by the third week 

 in September the Yellow Wagtails almost to a bird have 

 left us ; indeed I have no note of its being obtained in October. 

 At the coast large numbers of migrating birds are to be met 

 with during the latter half of August and the first fortnight 

 of September, and at the Tees and Humber estuaries the 

 fields, sand-hills, and beaches in the early mornings are often 

 swarming with them, though by mid-day they have usually 

 passed on. One extract from many, collected by the British 

 Association Migration Committee, will serve as an illustration 

 of this movement. " Spurn, August 14th, a few immature 

 Yellow Wagtails ; 23rd, thousands, the whole district ablaze 

 with them ; 24th, less numbers." (Seventh Report (1885), 



P- 43-) 



The Yellow Wagtail breeds commonly in clover, tare, and 

 wheat fields, preferring thick herbage to conceal its nest, 

 which is always very difficult to find ; after the young can 

 fly they are brought on to the mown meadows, fields, and 

 commons to feed. 



VOL. I. K 



