40 WILD LIFE OF SCOTLAND 



that his tail is fully an inch longer than that of the 

 other, he is the " water wagtail." Species making 

 in wagtails seems to me to be as recklessly 

 indulged in as in trout. 



In two great graceful curves, the bird spans the 

 distance from the sluice, where the water enters 

 the mill-lade ; and lights on a miniature sandbank, 

 formed by an eddy when the stream is in spate. 

 For the thousandth time I have reason to admire 

 that ineffable grace of movement, that harmonious 

 blending of soft greys with bright yellows, which 

 together mark her out as the lady among birds. 

 She stands for a moment, still vibrating; and, then, 

 runs with mincing steps to the water. Scarcely 

 wetting her dainty feet, she picks up the insect 

 larvse exposed in the shallows, or brought within 

 reach by the tiny wavelets, which advance, and 

 retreat, ever so little, in rhythmic motion. 



With a straight flight, or one which only varies 

 with the bend of the channel, the water-ousel comes, 

 steadily, up the stream, and lights on a stone in the 

 very centre. There he bobs, like a great robin or 

 wren, and then, descending, he turns up his tail 

 and disappears under water, emerging, after an 

 interval, a few yards farther down. 



There is no very apparent change in his coat 



