[44 
marked, yet they differ among themselves both in habit and colouring, and their varieties of 
plumage at different seasons of the year form a most interesting study for a beginner. It 
may be remarked that there are two other species for which a look out may always be kept in 
this country, a fact which gives a special interest to almost every Wagtail that presents itself 
to theeye. These are the White Wagtail (M. alba), which closely resembles the Pied Wagtail, 
but has a grey back instead of a black one in the summer, and the Blue-headed Wagtail 
(M. flava), which is hardly to be dis- 
tinguished from the Yellow Wagtail, 
except by its bluish-grey head and a white 
stripe over the eye. These two may 
always be found on the Continent, 
together (in some localities) with other 
forms slightly differing from each other, 
the many varieties thus combining to 
make the whole group a most interesting 
and profitable object of study. But the 
learner at home will find plenty to do in 
observing the three species described 
above, their movements and changes of 
plumage at different times of the year, as 
well as their nesting habits, and their 
relation to the Pipits; and there are, 
fortunately, few parts of England and 
Wales where all three may not be seen at 
one time or another. 
As an instance of the utility of these 
birds I may cite the following from the 
‘Gardeners’ Magazine,” viz. :—‘ The PIED WAGTAIL, 
Waetails afford a peculiar example of the 
indirect usefulness of small birds. The liver-fluke, that so often devastates our flocks and herds, 
begins its career in the body of a water-snail. In browsing on marshy pastures, the cattle 
and sheep take with their herbage a considerable number of snails, and, consequently, a 
considerable number of embryonic entozoa, or, say, incipient flukes. Amongst thousands of 
flukes swallowed and digested, a few will escape and find their way to the livers and brains 
of the animals, and there begin their work of destruction. The Wagtail affords a great 
protection, as he is persistently fond of marsh snails, and the marsh farmer is his own enemy 
if he destroys the birds.” 
Educational Series.—No. 1.—OWLS. No. 2.—WOODPECKERS. No. 3.—STARLING. No. 4.— 
SWALLOWS. No. 5.—KINGFISHER. No. 6.—OSPREY. No. 7.—DIPPERS. No. 8.—NIGHTJAR. 
No. 9.—TITMICE. No. 10.—KESTREL. No. 14.—PLOVERS. No.12._TERNS. No. 13.—WAGTAILS. 
No. 14.—_CHOUGH. No. 15.—_JAY. No. 16.—SKUAS. 
Others in course of preparation. 
Copies of the above may be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department, Knowledge Office, 
326, High Holborn, W.C., or from the Hon. Sec. Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, on the following 
terms :—Post free: three copies of any one number of the Series, 1d.; one dozen, 3d.; 100, 1s. 6d. 
Assorted packets, one copy of any six numbers, 2d.; one copy of any twelve, or two copies of any six 
numbers, 4d; or 50 assorted numbers, Is. Special terms for larger quantities, and t» County Councils, the 
Constabulary, and Schools. 
Tllustration by Joseph Wolf, from “ British Birds in their Haunts,” by kind permission of 
the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge. 
The Society’s Publishing Office, Knowledge, 326, High Holborn, London, W.C, 1897. 
