FOR CAGES AND A VI ARIES. 215 



the borders of streams and are often to be seen in atten- 

 dance upon sheep and cattle for the sake of collecting the 

 insects the animals disturb from among their haunts in 

 the grass. 



At first sight, the Wagtails seem among the most 

 unlikely of birds to succeed well in confinement, which 

 simply proves that appearances are deceptive, for they get 

 on very well indeed, even in a cage, and in a garden 

 aviary seem to be as much at home as they are in the 

 meadow or by the brook side, for they will breed, not 

 only two of each species together, but individuals belonging 

 to different varieties, and produce hybrids or mongrels ? 

 Ah ! a little more experience is needed to establish that 

 point. 



In a cage they have not nested, so far as the present 

 writer is aware, though if due attention were paid to their 

 requirements, even in such a restricted area, there seems 

 to be no reason why they should not do so, and that 

 successfully. 



Being of such a lively disposition, it stands to reason 

 that the more extended the place in which they are kept 

 the better, and in an aviary a streamlet, with a rocky 

 background and a sandy bed, would suit them exactly: 

 there they would live and multiply their kind in the fullest 

 security, and of course live happily, or they would not, as 

 they do, nest and rear their young. 



A good deal of confusion exists as to the different 

 species of Wagtails, no two writers agreeing to give them 

 the same names, but that is not of much importance in 

 this case, as the Pied is the only member of the Wagtail 

 family that is to be seen here in the winter season. 



The Grey Wagtail. 



This is a very elegant bird, about the same size as the 

 Pied Wagtail. Without being exactly of migratory habits, 

 it is of a more wandering disposition than its Pied relation, 

 and travels about in the winter-time in search of food. If 

 it be desired to keep it in the house, it must be treated 

 like the Pied Wagtail. 



