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Family MOTACILLID. 
The Motacillide are among the most graceful of birds, and, from 
their familiarity, tameness of disposition, and the sprightliness of 
their actions, are great favourites with every one who lives in the 
country. They have been judiciously separated into two distinct 
groups, the Pied and the Yellow Wagtails, the generic term Motacilla 
being retained for the former, and that of Budytes for the latter. 
There is also another form, to which the term Calobates has been 
applied ; of this only one or two species have yet been discovered ; of 
the other genera many are known. All, both Pied and Yellow, are 
strictly confined to the Old World, more particularly its northern 
portions, 
Genus Moracrnua. 
Two species of this form inhabit Britain—one of which is resident, 
the other migratory ; in India there are three or four; and in China 
and Japan we meet with as many more. Their natural province ts 
the ground; but they readily perch on the branches of trees. 
130% Morscmise YAREREDIT if 4. aes es , ou yoe a VOL mae lee 
Prep WAGTAIL. 
A resident species in the three kingdoms, breeds freely in the 
neighbourhood of dwellings, and is one of the foster-parents of the 
young Cuckoo. 
18315 (MOractLiA ALBA... .g. 20% 2's & =. Volare 
Waitt WaAGTAIL. 
A common migrant on the continent of Europe, but only a rare 
straggler in Britain, in various parts of which it has been seen and 
taken. 
Genus Bupytrs. 
The Yellow Wagtails, as already stated, frequent the same coun- 
{ries as the Pied, and are equally numerous inspecies. Of the three 
pertaining to the British avifauna, ene is a constant spring visitor, 
the other two occur but seldom. 
L382. Bupytes RAvYI . «<6 a be oe We) SVC) amuule ere 
YELLow WAGTAIL. 
Azrives in April, spreads over our fields and meadows, breeds, and 
returns to Africa for the winter. Generally distributed over the three 
kingdoms, 
