THE GREY WAGTAIL 113 
party has been wounded by a discharge from a gun, another has 
flown down as if to aid it, or sympathize with it. Advantage is 
taken of this habit by bird-catchers in France. It is the custom to 
tie Wagtails by their feet to the clap nets, and make them struggle 
violently and utter cries of pain when a flight of the same kind of 
birds is seen approaching ; these stop their flight, and-alighting are 
caught in large numbers for the spit, their flesh, it is said, being 
very delicate. They share, too, with Swallows the praise of being 
among the first to announce to other birds the approach of a Hawk, 
and join with them in mobbing and driving it away. 
About the middle of April, the Pied Wagtail begins to build its 
nest. This is usually placed in a hole in a bank or hedge, among 
stones, or in the hollow of a tree; it is composed of dry grass and 
withered leaves, mixed with moss, and lined with wool, hair, and a 
few feathers. It is a compact and solid structure, capable of pro- 
tecting the eggs and young from the damp soil, but is not generally 
concealed with much art ; and hence perhaps it is frequently selected 
by the Cuckoo, to lay an egg in. 
Towards autumn, Pied Wagtails for the most part migrate south- 
wards. In the midland counties they may be often observed in 
large companies, in October, halting for a few days wherever food 
is abundant, and then suddenly disappearing ; after which only a 
few stragglers are seen until the spring. They return northwards 
about the beginning of March. In the extreme south of England 
they are numerous all the year round; but as many instances have 
occurred of their alighting on a ship at sea, it is probable that the 
majority migrate to some southern climate, where the ponds do not 
freeze and gnats gambol at Christmas. 
THE GREY WAGTAIL 
MOTACILLA MELANOPE 
Summer—head and back bluish grey; a pale streak above the eyes; throat 
black ; under parts bright yellow; tail very long. Wuantey—chin and 
throat whitish, passing into yellow. Length seven inches and three- 
quarters. Eggs bluish white, speckled with dark grey. 
GREY Wagtail is not a very happy name for this bird, as the bright 
yellow of its neck and breast are far more conspicuous than the 
more sober grey of the head and back; yet, as there are other 
claimants for the more appropriate names ‘ Yellow’, and ‘Grey- 
headed’, the young observer must be cautious while reading the 
descriptions of the several members of the family, or he may 
possibly fall into error. The Grey Wagtail is among the most 
elegant and graceful of British birds, and in delicacy of colouring 
is surpassed by few. Its habits are much the same as those of the 
Pied Wagtail, but it is even lighter and more active in its move- 
B.B. I 
