118 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



which is emarginated, the lateral margins nearly straight 

 and inflexed, and the gonys long and ascending ; the nostrils 

 lateral, with the opening oval, and partly concealed by a 

 membrane ; wings lengthened and pointed, with the first 

 quill almost as long as the second and third, which are equal 

 and longest ; tail very long, generally even, but sometimes 

 forked ; tarsi longer than the middle toe, slender, and covered 

 in front with slightly-divided scales ; toes moderate ; with 

 the lateral toes nearly equal, the outer one slightly united 

 at its base ; the hind toe long, and armed with a long, more 

 or less curved claw. 



219. Motacilla Capensis, Linn.; Shaw., Voi. 



10, p. 349 ; La LevandUre Brum, Le Vail., No. 

 177 ; La Bergeronnette du Cap de Bonne Esperance, 

 Brisson ; Motacilla Afra, Gmel., PL Enl. 28, f. 2. 



General colour, grey-brown ; the wing-feathers edged with 

 light-brown ; under parts white, with a yellowish tinge ; 

 throat pure white ; chest with an ash- coloured collar, ex- 

 tending downwards in the shape of a peak ; eyebrows dirty- 

 white ; two outer feathers of the tail on each side, brilliant 

 white ; the rest dark, indian-ink brown. Length, 6" 6"' ; 

 wing, 3" 1"' ; tail, 3" 7'". 



The common wagtail is abundant throughout the colony, frequent- 

 ing the crowded cities equally with the outlying farmsteads ; every- 

 where it is petted and protected on account of its trusting, confiding 

 manners, and the gentle way in which it makes itself one of the family. 



Of course, in the towns, where boys, those natural enemies of birds, 

 abound, the wagtail is more shy than in the country ; but eyen there 

 they know the dwellings of those who protect them, and take up their 

 abode accordingly. 



In the country, each farm-house and " pondok " (mud-dwelling of 

 Hottentot labourer) has its well-known pairs of this engaging bird ; and 

 woe to the unlucky urchin who dares to meddle with them or their 

 nests ! ! To say that " the angels won't love them," would be a bless- 

 ing compared to the fate that would be prophesied for the wicked 

 child. 



I have often seen the master of the house sitting in his chair in the 

 cool of the evening, and, perhaps, whUe one bird perched on the rail 

 of his chair, another would jump at the flies on his soil-stained shoes, 

 while two or three more stand pecking at those that plagued the old 

 dog lying at his master's feet. Perhaps one or. two would have found 

 their way into the voorTiuis, or entrance-hall, where a rich harvest 

 awaited them in the bodies of those flies slain by the attendant dark 

 urchins, who, often ignorant of breeches or petticoats, guard their 

 master's viands with a plume of dirty ostrich-feathers or leafy bough 

 torn from the nearest tree. 



These birds consort much with cattle, and jump up against their 



