WAGTAILS. 



There are several species of these birds known in 

 England, so called from their curious habit of jerking 

 their tails while running along the ground. The PIED 

 WAGTAIL (Motacilla Yarrellii) is constantly to be 

 seen in the neighbourhood of a pond or brook, and 

 Mr. Yarrell says it is a clever fisher, and snaps up the 

 smaller minnows and fry when they come to the sur- 

 face. It often runs about on the ground near horses 

 and cattle at pasture, pecking at the insects which 

 they disturb, and follows the ploughman in order to 

 pick up the grubs turned up by the plough. It is a 

 very pretty bird, and is so merry and lively, and so 

 amusing in its rapid movements and darting flights, 

 that several people have tried to keep it in confine- 

 ment, and it is said to do very well in an aviary, espe- 

 cially if reared from the nest, when it may be taught 

 to fly in and out of it, and to catch insects for itself. 

 It must be fed upon ants' eggs, mealworms, and various 

 insects, and will learn to eat the Nightingale's paste, 

 and is fond of bread and meat occasionally. In wintef 

 it will often come close to the house, to pick up crumbs 



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