THE PIED WAGTAIL. 109 



and the Isle of May, in spring and autumn ; ^ but in mild 

 seasons a few remain with us in sheltered places throughout 

 the winter. 



The Pied Wagtail is common throughout the county in 

 summer, and is usually found in the vicinity of streams, 

 pools, and marshy meadows, where it is always in motion, 

 running after insects on the ground, and sometimes wading 

 into the shallow water after them. It may be often seen 

 flitting from place to place with an undulating flight, all the 

 while uttering its twittering notes, and when not on the 

 wing constantly vibrating its tail with a graceful motion. 

 It is frequently noticed on the newly ploughed land in 

 spring, when — 



at the ridge end stands the well-filled sack, 

 And hive inverted, while the sower steps, 

 With loaded sheet, along the furrowed ridge. 



Grahame, British Georgks. 



Its nest, which is built of dead grass and fibrous roots, 

 lined with hair, is found in a variety of situations, 

 such as a hole in an old wall or bridge, the bank of a 

 stream, and the like. A favourite spot for it in Paxton 

 policy-ground is the wall of an old salmon-fishing bothy 

 near the boat-house at the side of the Tweed." I am 

 indebted to Captain Logan Home of Broomhouse for the 

 following interesting account of a very singular position 



1 The Pied Wagtail was observed on migration in Spring 1882. — At Fames, 

 29th March. Autumn 1882.— Isle of May, 20th Sep., 31st Oct., and 7th Nov. 

 Sj)ri7ig 1883.— Isle of May, 2nd and 30th March, 3rd and 25th April; Fames, 

 2nd April, 4th and 14th May. Autumn 1883.— Isle of May, 11th Sep. to 10th 

 Oct. Sprinr/ 1884.— Isle of May, 14th Feb., 9th and 22nd March ; Fames, 8th 

 March. Autumn 1884. — Isle of May, 8th and 9th Sep. to 9th Oct. Spring 

 1885.— Isle of May, 24th Feb. to 23rd May; Fames, 11th March to 9th May. 

 Aidumn 1885. — Isle of May, 26th to 29th Sep. — Extracts from Reports on 

 Migration of Birds, 1879-1885. 



2 Mr. Hardy mentions nesting-places of the Pied Wagtail observed at tlie 

 middle part of Edraond's Dean ; at Heriot Water above Stockbridge ; and on the 

 Water Eye at Butterdean Mill ; also at Renton and Horsley. — Hist. Ber. A^at. 

 Club. vol. ix. p. 553. 



