GRAY WAGTAIL. 67 



site for the nest is never far from the water-side; in 

 many cases but a few inches from the stream. Some- 

 times the nest is made under an overhanging rock on 

 the bank, amongst tall grass and weeds ; sometimes a 

 large stone, almost covered with bramble and fern, 

 conceals it ; at others it is placed amongst drifted 

 rubbish, or on the low stump of a tree. I have known 

 it to be made in a hole in a dry wall ; in fact almost 

 any well-sheltered nook by the stream is utilized. A 

 nest of this species has been recorded as being built on 

 an old deserted nest of the Song Thrush. The nest of 

 the Gray Wagtail is loosely put together, and made 

 externally of roots, dry grass, and moss, and lined with 

 finer roots, cow- or horsehair, and, less frequentlx', 

 feathers. The female sits closely, and when disturbed 

 often flies into the nearest tree, when she is usually 

 joined by her mate, and the two birds are very restle.-^s 

 until left in peace. 



Range of egg colouration and measurement : 

 The eggs of this species are generally five in number, 

 sometimes four, more rarely six. They vary from 

 grayish-white to yellowish or buffish-white in ground 

 colour, mottled and speckled with pale brown of various 

 shades, and occasionally niarked with a few irregular 

 lines of very dark brown. Average measurement, 75 

 inch in length, by -55 inch in breadth. Incubation, 

 performed chiefly by the female, lasts thirteen or 

 fourteen days. 



Diagnostic characters : It is impossible to give 

 any reliable character by which the eggs of the Gray 

 Wagtail may be distinguished from those of the Yellow 

 Wagtail and the Blue-headed Wagtail, or even from 

 those of the Sedge Warbler. The situation of the nest, 

 and the nature of the country, however, prevent much 

 chance of confusion. 



