536 



PERCHING BIRDS 



visiting the mountains of north-eastern Africa, India, l^urma, and 



oven the Moluccas. In the southern 

 counties of England it is chiefly known as 

 a migrant, but it breeds regularly in other 

 parts of the mainland of Great Britain and 

 Ireland, while it is also known to have 

 nested in Buckinghamshire, Sussex, Dorset- 

 shire, Gloucestershire, Devonshire, and Corn- 

 wall. 



This species may be regarded as to a 

 great extent a connecting link between the 

 pied and the yellow sections of the group, 

 having a dress approximating to the type 

 characteristic of the former, but in its fond- 

 ness for water and low river-side meadows 

 recalling the latter. In addition to water- 

 insects, this wagtail feeds on small river- 

 snails and fish-fry. The eggs, of which 

 there are from five to seven in a clutch, 



GKEY WAGTAIL (FKMALli). 



have a more olive ground-colour than those 



of the pied and white species. The nest is generally built in a well- 

 concealed position near a stream. 



Yellow Wafftail Although the name Motacilla cauipestris is now 

 (Motacilla rail) f'cquently emplojcd for the yellow wagtail, it seems 

 preferable to retain 



the more familiar J/, rail, or rayi. 



Possibly, indeed, this bird should be 



regarded merely as the western race 



of the blue-headed wagtail, when it 



should be known as Motacilla flava 



rail. In summer the forehead, the 



sides of the head, and unclcr-parts of 



the cock are bright yellow, and the 



crown and upper-parts generall)' 



olive-yellow ; the hen being similarly 



coloured but duller. In autumn the 



cocks become greener above, inclusive 



of the forehead, although a yellow 



strij)c remains above the eye. Young 



birds are olive-brown above, inclining to yellow on the loins, with the 



UOUNTED IN THE ROWLMO WARD STUDIOS 



VKI.I.OW WAGTAII. (MAI.I:). 



