PIED, OR YARRELL S WAGTAIL. 195 



vated lands in their vicinity. At this season 

 insects form a great proportion of their food, 

 which they actively seize by running at on the 

 ground, or by rising a short way in pursuit of 

 them ; and for this purpose the roofs of buildings, 

 tops of walls, &c. are much frequented, on account 

 of the various diptera and winged flies which 

 resort there to enjoy the warmth of the sunbeams. 

 These flocks continue near their favourite haunts 

 for a few weeks, and gradually disperse, many of 

 them, undoubtedly, leaving the island as the 

 winter advances. The birds, which remain sta- 

 tionary, may be seen singly, or in pairs, frequent- 

 ing the farm yard, the streets of villages, the 

 vicinity of mills, &c. In spring we again receive 

 an accession of numbers ; and in addition to the 

 localities we have alluded to, they are seen, in 

 parties of from four or five to a dozen, attending 

 the plough, or feeding among the sheep, which 

 have been netted on turnip lands. On the 

 change to milder weather they betake themselves 

 to their usual breeding stations, returning for 

 years in succession to the same place, and placing 

 their nests either very near, or in its former site. 

 The nest is constructed externally of roots or 

 small twigs, and is lined with hair and fine 

 grasses. It is placed at no great elevation, 

 though very seldom on the level ground, and in 

 every situation is almost always supported against 

 something, a ledge of rock, bank, tree, or wall.* 

 Two broods are reared annually, and the parents 

 * Hewitson. 



