ZOOLOGY. 91 



bristles ; tongue cleft ; toes divided to their origin ; 

 claws sharp, those on the hind toes very long, and 

 nearly strait ; feet formed for running. 



This genus, though not so numerous as some others, is dis- 

 persed oyer most parts of the known world, many of the 

 kinds possess a fine note ; their colours are of rather a -ombre 

 cast, partaking principally of various shades of brown and 

 olive ; they feed on seeds, insects, and worms, some are only 

 to be found on the sea shores, others in retired woods, but 

 the greater part frequent open cu tivated countries ; they 

 generally build on the ground ; their motions on foot is by 

 running and walking ; not any of the species hop. Sea 

 British Ornithology f vols. 1, and 2. 



13. Motacilla. Wagtail. I?i7/ slender, very soft, slightly 

 notched near the tip ; tongue fringed at the point ; 

 toes three forward and one backward, the middle toe 

 connected to the outer one as far as the first joint; 

 hind-toe and claxo very long : feet as in the last genus : 

 taillong. 



This is a lively active tribe, of familiar habits, and great 

 plegance of form ; the species are not numero'is ; and are 

 principally confined to Europe, Asia, and Africa : tliey 

 mostly resort to the sides of pontis and running streams ; 

 and feed on insects and worms; ihey : ;;• on the ground in 

 the manner of the Lark genns^ and derive v pir name ^rom the 

 continued motion of the tails. Three -jipcies are natives of 

 Britain, see British Ornitholog]/, vol. 1, ii, 3. 



