YELLOW WAGTAIL. 199 



but comparatively rare on the Continent, the 

 other quite the reverse. Mr Gould, in modern 

 times, was the first to perceive that a confusion 

 existed in the nomenclature of the species ; and 

 he applied the title of" Neglecta" to the bird of 

 the Continent. Lately the common British bird 

 has received the honour of being named after 

 Ray ; but " Flava " having been given to it 

 undoubtedly so far back as the time of Willughby 

 and Ray, a change now seems uncalled for, and 

 we have retained the ancient title. 



This bird is truly migratory, and forms one of 

 the earliest additions to our summer Fauna, 

 appearing early in March, or about the springing 

 of the grains, whence it has received the common 

 name of " Oat-seed bird, or Oat-ear." It is local 

 in distribution, but where it occurs is met with 

 in comparative frequency. Its favourite haunts 

 are the low meadows and alluvial valleys 

 watered by a gentle stream, where they may 

 be met with in pairs running and searching for 

 food on the bare spots or near the water, and 

 perched on the summit of the tall plants or on 

 the twigs of low brushwood ; when approached, 

 it is quickly betrayed by the anxiety exhibited, 

 and the female, if sitting, is soon induced to join 

 her partner, from the frequent and urgent calls 

 and notes of alarm. The nest is placed on the 

 ground away from the stream, and is a slender 

 rather careless structure, composed of roots and 

 withered grasses, lined with fine leaves of the 

 latter and hair. The eggs are pale wood brown, 



