BIRDS OF THE GARDENS 25 



through the densest cover, consequently it is far more 

 frequently heard than seen. Always reluctant to take 

 to wing, but if forced to do so it flies clumsily and 

 sluggishly, with dangling legs, and soon drops into 

 cover again. If occasion demands it will feign death. 

 Not aquatic like the Water Rail. 



Food. Small snails, worms, slugs, insects, lizards, 

 seeds, &c. 



Nest. May or June. One brood. 



Site. On the ground, among some kind of growing 

 herbage. 



Materials. Dead grass, leaves, and roots, lined with 

 finer grass. 



Eggs. Seven to ten. Reddish or huffish white, 

 spotted and blotched somewhat sparingly with red- 

 brown and violet-grey under-markings. 



BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava}. 



A casual visitor only, generally in spring, and has 

 bred with us on a few occasions. Has been observed 

 chiefly in the south-eastern, south-western, and southern 

 counties. 



Observation. Very like the Yellow Wagtail, but note 

 white streak over eye (not yellow) and double yellowish 

 bars on wings. 



Plumage. Crown and nape bluish grey. Lores and 

 ear-coverts dark grey ; white superciliary streak ; 

 upper parts yellowish olive-green. Wings dark brown, 

 tipped with yellowish white, forming two bars. Tail- 

 feathers blackish brown. Chin white ; under parts 

 bright yellow. Bill and legs black. Length 6Jin. 

 Female shorter ; head less grey ; under parts not sa 



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