PIED WAGTAIL. 61 
season associates with Tits and Goldcrests, most of 
the larger flocks of these birds containing one or more 
Creepers. 
When feeding, the Creeper starts at the foot of a 
tree, sometimes ascending in a spiral course, although 
the bird often keeps to one side of the trunk. At- 
taining a considerable height amongst the branches, or 
even working out to the extremity of one of the larger 
limbs, it fies downwards in a slanting direction to the 
foot of another tree. 
Mr. R. Newstead has observed the Creeper feeding 
freely on the common mussel-scale of the apple 
(Mytilaspis pomorum, Bouché). 
FAMILY MOTACILLID. 
PIED WAGTAIL. 
MOoTACILLA LUGUBRIS, Temminck. 
Watitty, Water Wagtavl. 
In Cheshire the Pied Wagtail is a partial migrant, 
only a few birds remaining through the winter. Early 
in March small flocks of immigrants, recognisable by 
their clean plumage, may be seen in the ploughed fields 
and pastures. From then until autumn the bird is 
plentiful and widely distributed, frequenting farmsteads 
and brooks in the Hill Country as well as the water- 
courses of the Plain. Emigration commences in 
September, and continues through the following month. 
On November 13th, 1897, there were many birds about 
the brooks and pit-sides in the neighbourhood of 
Alderley Edge, presumably passing southward, for a 
few days later none were to be seen. 
1 Dobie, op. cit. p. 292. 
