138 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
The nest is generally placed on the ground on 
the brink of a stream.* I have, however, found 
the nest of this bird in a rough stone wall, nearly 
as much as a hundred yards from a stream. It is 
generally made of dry grass and roots, and lined 
with hair. 
The plumage of the Grey Wagtail is exceedingly 
bright and gay; the beak is dusky brown, the edges 
of both mandibles being light brown; irides dark 
hazel; head, neck, ear-coverts, back and scapulars 
light bluish grey; there is a streak of light buff over 
each eye; the wing-coverts are dark dusky, slightly 
edged with a lighter shade; rump and tail-coverts 
bright yellow; tail dusky, the two central feathers 
edged with yellow, the outside feather on each side 
white; the two next feathers on each side are also 
white, except a small line on the outer web, which is 
dusky; primary and secondary quills dusky ; tertials 
the same, edged with dirty white and yellow; throat 
and breast white, tinged with buff; belly white and 
yellow; under tail-coverts very bright yellow, the 
same as the upper; legs, toes and claws pale brown. 
In the breeding season the male has the throat 
black, and the breast at that time is more yellow, 
and without the tinge of buff. 
The eggs are about the same size as those of the 
last species: the ground colour very dull white, 
* See Yarrell, vol. 1., p. 433. 
