BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 451 



and other names : Dishwasher, Black and White 

 Wagtail, Washtail, Nanny Washtail, Wagster, 

 Water Wagtail, Washerwoman. Sits rather closely. 



YOUNG WAGTAILS IN NEST. 



WAGTAIL, WHITE. 



(Motacilla alba.) 

 Order PASSERES ; Family MOTACILLID.E (WAGTAILS). 



Description of Parent Birds. Length nearly eight 

 inches. Bill of medium length, straight, and black. 

 Crown and nape black ; back, scapulars, and upper 

 tail -co verts French or light ash-grey. Wings 

 brownish-black, each feather having a broad outer 

 margin of greyish-white, tail-quills black, with the 

 exception of the two centre feathers, which are 

 margined with white, and the two outer feathers 

 on each side, which are white, with black inner 

 webs. The front and sides of the head, together 

 with a patch on either side of the neck, are white. 

 Chin, throat, and upper part of the breast, black. 

 Lower breast, belly, vent, and under tail-coverts 

 white. Legs, toes, and claws black. 



The female is less distinctive in coloration. Her 



