170 



GEEY WAGTAIL. 



WIIS'TER WAGTAIL. YELLOW WAGTAIL. 



Motacilla sulphurea, Bechstein. 



" cnierea, Kay. 



•* boarulu, PliNNANT. MOXTAGU. 



*' vielanopay Gmelin. 



Motacilla —A Wagtail. Sulphurea — Sulphureous — sulphur-coloured. 



This is one of the most elegant of our native birds, and 

 on this account, as well as for its comparative infrequency, 

 'alwa^'s a welcome guest.' 



It is a perennial denizen of the southern part of Europe, 

 being found in Switzerland, Italy, France, and Spain; also in 

 Madeira. It likewise inhabits Java, Sumatra, Japan, and 

 other parts of India. 



In this country it is generally diffused, being found all 

 over England and Scotland, though rarely in the extreme 

 north. It is unknown in the outer Hebrides. In the Orkney 

 Islands it is occasionally seen in the summer. 



The sides of small streams, rivers, lakes, and ponds, are 

 more pecuharly affected by this species. 



The Grrev Wasrtail is said to niio-rate southwards in the 

 ^\^nter, and northwards in the spring, the former movement 

 being made in September, and the latter in April; but some 

 certainly do not leave Yorkshire, for I have seen them here 

 this winter, a pair on the 5th. of this present January, 1852; 

 and another a month ago in very severe weather; a few are 

 also seen about Edinburgh in the winter. Some in like manner 

 remain in the south in the breeding season. They probably 



