114 THE GREY WAGTAIL 



merits. It is less frequently observed away from water than that 

 species, and though, like it, not altogether a permanent resident in 

 England, it visits us at the opposite season, coming in autumn, and 

 retiring northwards in spring. It does not seem often to go 

 so far north as Inverness-shire, but is regularly seen about Edin- 

 burgh in winter ; and, on the other hand, it breeds yearly in the 

 southern counties of England during summer, as on the streams 

 which flow from Dartmoor. This partial migration seems to be 

 characteristic of the family, and is difficult to account for. Why 

 out of a certain number of birds of the same species, some should 

 annually travel southwards, to supply the place of individuals be- 

 longing to an allied species, who have travelled yet further to the 

 south, and why, on the reappearance of the latter in spring, the first 

 should return to their northern haunts, are questions more easily 

 asked than answered. 



The Grey Wagtail has been repeatedly observed to indulge in a 

 fancy wdiich might w^eU obtain for it the name of ' window-bird '. 

 The first recorded instance occurs in an early number of the Zoologist, 

 where it is stated, that every morning for a period of between three 

 and four months, from the beginning of October to the end of 

 January, a Grey Wagtail came to the window of a country house 

 as soon as the blinds were drawn up, and darted against the panes 

 of glass, pecking with its beak as if it saw some object. It w^ould 

 then retire, and after a pause repeat the operation, but from what 

 motive no one could conjecture. A lady writes to me from Dewlish 

 House, Dorsetshire : ' We are constantly being disturbed by a 

 yellow-breasted Water- Wagtail, which comes tapping at the windows 

 or skylights, from the first streak of light till evening. What may 

 be his object no one can say. It is too cold at present (March) 

 for flies or spiders, and, had there been any hybernating there 

 he would have eaten them long ago, he comes so frequently. 

 When, on going upstairs, or when sitting down in my room, I hear 

 this loud repeated tapping, it is vain for me to open the window 

 and try to entice him in with crumbs ; he does not even notice them. 

 This morning he woke me at about four o'clock. You would have 

 said, ' Some one rapping at my window as a signal that I must get 

 up. An old servant tells me, " Ah, 'twere just the same last 

 spring, when the family were in London ; they say that it do mean 

 something." ' 



The Grey Wagtail does not commonly build its nest in the southern 

 counties of England, although instances have occurred. It prefers 

 hilly and rocky districts. More frequently it repairs in spring to 

 the north of England and south of Scotland, and builds its nest on 

 the ground, or in the hole of a bank, or between large stones, and 

 never at any great distance from the water. It is composed of 

 stems and blades of grass, mixed with moss and wool, and lined with 

 wool, hair and feathers. 



