X 



THE WATER WAGTAIL. 



MutaciUa Yarrellii. 

 „ Alba. 



observ 



tingui 



.l.le 

 shed 



HE Water Wagtail, or, as it is 

 commonly called, the " D ish- 

 washer/' is the commonest, and 

 therefore the best known, of the 

 British Wagtails. It is a smart, 

 active little bird, frequenting the 

 sides of nearly every pool, pond, 

 or brook in the country. In 

 such localities it may be met 

 with at all times of the day, 

 cither nimbly running' over the 

 stones, mud, and aquatic vege- 

 tation, or taking short upward 

 flights in pursuit of insects. 



The Wagtail derives its name 

 from the constant habit of ele- 

 vating its tail with a quick 

 jerky motion, as though desirous 

 of keeping the plumage clean 

 and dry. It runs very quickly, 

 and flics with an alternate rising 

 and falling in the air. This pe- 

 culiar flight is one of its most 



characteristics, and the bird may readily be dis- 



by it from almost all others. 



