THE GRAY WAGTAIL 79 



yellowish -brown in ground colour, mottled and spotted with 

 darker brown. On some eggs a few nearly black streaks 

 occur on the larger end. The Gray Wagtail in some cases 

 rears two broods in the year, but this habit is not universal, 

 and I believe is very often the result of the first clutch of 

 eggs having been destroyed. Both birds assist in the duties 

 of incubation, and the sitting-bird is often fed on the nest by 

 its mate. The young birds very often run out of the nest 

 before they can fly, and it is a pretty sight to watch the old birds 

 and their brood. If an intruder disturbs the family circle the old 

 birds keep up a rapid chorus of alarm-notes, running along the 

 ground and flitting from rock to rock, or perching in the 

 branches overhead. The nestlings may sometimes be seen 

 sitting on a stone in the middle of the water waiting for the 

 flies which their parents catch for them on the banks. Such 

 a scene speaks eloquently of peace, and forms a picture dear 

 to the heart of him who loves Nature and her works. 



As soon as the young Wagtails can fly, the family party 

 is apt to stray from the neighbourhood of the nest, going 

 farther down the stream. The food of the Gray Wagtail is 

 almost exclusively composed of insects, small beetles and flies 

 being preferred. The bird also eats small mollusks, and I have 

 taken tiny seeds from its stomach during the winter months. 

 It may often be seen wading through the shallow water 

 when in search of food, and is very fond of washing itself. 

 As a musician the Gray Wagtail is not very distinguished, 

 but its little song is in full harmony with the scenes it in- 

 habits, and forms a welcome variety to the murmuring of the 

 stream. Its song is short, and often uttered as the bird is 

 floating for a moment in mid-air. It is a simple little strain, 

 and puts you in mind of the notes of the Swallow ; but it is 

 not heard very often, and only in spring and early summer. 



As a breeding species the White Wagtail (Motacilla alba) 

 is doubtless very often overlooked in the British Islands, and 



