24 TEE SMALLER BRITISH BIRDS. 



young are well grown and strong on the wing, the family go upon 

 their travels southward, to avoid the extreme rigour of the winter; but 

 they do not fly so far as the Warblers, and the Swallows, and other 

 true migratory birds. 



The male of the White Wagtail is generally about seven inches 

 long. We need not describe the plumage, it being so like that of 

 the Pied species, only, as we have already said, with more of white 

 and grey, and less of black in it. Sometimes, though rarely, a totally 

 or nearly white variety has been met with. 



Bishop Mant, who in his " British Months" gives a graphic and 

 lively description of most of our feathered friends, makes but one short 

 allusion to a bird of this family group, which has reference to their 

 active habits and short sharp note : — 



"At hand I greet 

 The nimble Wagtail's brisk te-weet." 



THE GREY WAGTAIL, 



(Molacilla sulphurea.) 

 PLATE ir. — PIQURE II. 



Sometimes called the Winter, or Yellow Wagtail, which latter uame 

 properly belongs to a species presently to be described. This very 

 beautiful and somewhat delicate bird is found chiefly in the southern 

 parts of Europe; although it sometimes makes its appearance in the 

 sheltered valleys of Switzerland. It also inhabits Java, Sumatra, Japan, 

 and other parts of India. Although generally diS'used over Britain, 

 it is not common anywhere, and in the extreme north is rarely if 

 ever seen. It is a partial migrant, going northward in the summer 

 and southward in the winter, as a rule, but some individuals 

 probably remain all through the year in one locality. In the coldest 

 weather it has been seen in Yorkshire, and about Edinburgh. 

 In the neighbourhood of streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds it will be 

 most generally found. Seldom more than a pair are seen together ; 

 they have a zigzag waving flight, and a weak shrill cry, running 

 with great rapidity along the margin of the piece of water from which 

 they derive much oi their subsistence, or over the water weeds, they 



