THE YELLOW WAGTAIL 
MOTACILLA RAIL 
Loca names in surrounding counties : 
Stratus 1n British AvirAuNA: With few exceptions, a 
summer migrant, generally distributed over England and 
the south of Scotland, but very local in Ireland, chiefly 
in the north and west. 
RapiaL DisTrRIBUTION WITHIN FIFTEEN MILES OF ST. 
Paut’s: This beautiful and graceful little bird is chiefly 
observed during the two seasons of migration within the 
Metropolitan area, although a small number pass the 
summer in suitable parts of it. I have seen this species 
in the Green Park, in Hyde Park, in Regent’s Park, and 
Battersea Park. ‘There must be various other similar spots 
which it frequents occasionally. Further out towards 
the more rural suburbs its occurrence, of course, becomes 
less noteworthy. It occasionally visits Wormwood Scrubs, 
many of the large market-gardens and sewage-farms, and 
most of the open pieces of agricultural land still left 
between the blocks of houses. ‘The Yellow Wagtail has 
been known to breed at Putney, Wandsworth, and 
Mitcham. It also does so commonly in the Wimbledon 
and Richmond districts, as well as in those of Hanwell, 
Southall, Sudbury, Wembley, Harrow, Hendon, Enfield, 
Waltham, and Epping, although in the latter locality it 
is said to be becoming less numerous. ‘Thence it may 
be traced as a breeding species through many places 
in the eastern suburbs, in Kent, and in all suitable 
parts of North Surrey, from Epsom and Chelsham in- 
wards. 
The gay and sprightly Yellow Wagtail is pre-eminently 
a bird of the open fields and pastures, most in evidence, 
perhaps, shortly after its arrival upon ground which is 
being tilled, and where it may be seen daintily running 
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