1G6 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



North American fauna as an occasional visitant of Greenland, where in two 

 instances single specimens liave been procured. It is found in all portions 



of the European Continent, from the 

 islands of the Mediterranean as far north 

 as the Arctic regions. It appears in Swe- 

 den in April, and leaves there in October. 

 Mr. Gould states also that it is found in 

 the northern portions of Africa, and in 

 the highlands of India. It also occurs, 

 though less frequently, in England, where 

 it is replaced by a local race, or an allied 

 species, Motacilla yarrclli of Gould. The 

 Motacilla alba is said by Temminck to in- 

 habit meadows in the vicinity of streams 

 Its food is chiefly insects in various stages 



Motacilla alba. 



of water, villages, and old houses. 

 and of different kinds. 



It builds its nest on the ground among the grass of the meadow, in fissures 

 in rocks or decayed buildings, among the roots of trees, on the banks of 

 streams, in piles of wood and fagots, or under the arch of a bridge. The 

 nests are somewhat coarsely constructed of interwoven dry bent stems of 

 plants and reeds, with a finer lining of the same. The eggs, six in number, 

 are of a bluish-wliite ground thickly sprinkled with fine dottings, which are 

 most usually of a blackish-brown color, sometimes ashy-gray or reddish- 

 brown. 



The Pied Wagtail, M. yarrclli, Degland and Gerbe regard as a race, and 

 not a species. It has a limited habitat, confined to Norway, Sweden, and 

 the British Islands, in the latter of which it is a resident throughout the 

 year. Besides their difference in plumage, Mr. Yarrell has noticed certain 

 differences also of habit. The alba is said not to be so partial to water as 

 the pied species, and though often found near ploughed land, does not, like 

 its kindred species, follow the plough in search of insects. Mr. Hewitson also 

 states that it has a hoarser voice. 



Like all the birds of tliis family, the Wagtail is much admired for the ele- 

 gance of its form, its activity, and the airy lightness of its motions. It seems 

 ever on the move, runs with great rapidity a quick succession of steps in 

 pursuit of its food, and goes from place to place in short undulating flights. 

 It has a cheerful chirping note which it uttere while on the wing. When it 

 alights, it gives a graceful fanning movement with its tail, from which it 

 derives its name. 



The Pied Wagtail, whose habits have been more closely observed by Eng- 

 lish naturalists, has frequently been seen to wade into the water in search of 

 aquatic insects, and probably also of small fish, as in confinement they have 

 been known to catch and feed on minnows in a fountain in the centre of their 

 aviary. It is probable that the habits of the W^hite AVagtail are not dissimilar. 



