204: BRITISH BIRDS. 
the western, the former having on an average a slightly shorter tail than 
the latter. The extremes vary from 3} to 44 inches; but every inter- 
mediate measurement is found, and occasionally the measurements do 
not agree accurately with the geographical distribution. 
The haunts of this fairy-like and graceful little bird are never far from 
running waters. It appears to love them best when in their wildest moods ; 
and it frequents the rocky banks of mountain-rivers and streams, espe- 
cially if they are well wooded, living in scattered pairs, each appearing to 
have its own range. 
The Grey Wagtail has always been one of my special favourites. In 
spite of its name, the delicate brilliancy of its plumage entitles it to be 
considered one of our most elegant native birds. All its movements cor- 
respond ; nothing can be more graceful than the way in which it will run 
along the margin of a still pool, leaving the impression of its delicate feet 
on the sand, or daintily flit from stone to stone in the running stream. It 
rarely, if ever, frequents pastures, as the other Wagtails are fond of doing ; 
nor have I ever seen it on the lawn or in the farmyard; it confines itself 
almost entirely to rivers and brooks. I first became acquainted with these 
charming birds in the neighbourhood of Saffron Walden. Between this 
town and Audley End lies Lord Braybrooke’s park ; a winding brook runs 
through it, by the margin of which you might stroll any winter’s morning 
with the certainty of seeing one or two pairs of Grey Wagtails. They 
were regular winter migrants, appearmg about the middle of October and 
disappearing as regularly towards the end of March. Every autumn the 
Fieldfare, the Redwing, the Royston Crow, and the Grey Wagtail were the 
most conspicuous heralds of winter; and every spring they vanish as 
completely. I next met with this bird among the Derbyshire moors, near 
Sheffield, but this time as a summer visitor. You may stroll along the 
banks of the Derwent any summer day, from Ashopton to Yorkshire Bridge, 
with the certainty of seeing one or two pairs of Grey Wagtails, and with 
almost equal certainty of finding one of their nests. The river is broad and 
full of rocks and stones, and the banks are often steep and rocky. A good 
fly-fisher wading up stream will, on a lucky day, soon fill his creel with 
trout, and have ample opportunities of watching the Common Sandpiper, 
the Dipper, and the Grey Wagtail, which all breed close to the river-side. 
The Pied Wagtails are especially numerous, flitting from stone to stone, 
allowing you to approach almost close to them before they will fly off to 
another stone or perhaps to a tree, uttering their alarm-note of chiz-zit, 
chiz-zit. The Grey Wagtails are much less numerous and very much 
more shy; and if you wish to watch their graceful movements you must 
conceal yourself or be very quiet. In their habits they resemble the other 
Wagtails, running very rapidly and gracefully, continually moving their 
tails up and down, and now and then taking a snatch at an insect, assisted 
