104 



BEITISH BIRDS 



Pied Wagtail. 



Motacilla lugubris. 



FIG. 37. PIED WAGTAIL. natural size. 



Summer plumage variegated with white and black ; back and 

 scapulars, chin, throat, and neck black ; a small portion of the side of 

 the neck white. Winter plumage : back and scapulars ash-grey ; 

 chin and throat white, with a black, but not entirely isolated, 

 gorget. Length, seven and a half inches. 



The pied wagtail is probably not more abundant in this country 

 than the yellow wagtail, but is far better known, being a more 

 generally diffused species, often seen in the neighbourhood of 

 houses where the yellow wagtail never comes. And if there be a 

 pied wagtail anywhere within range of sight, it is sure to be seen and 

 recognised, for in its black-and-white plumage it is the most con- 

 spicuous small bird in this country, not excepting the kingfisher, 

 snow-bunting and blackbird. When tripping about a smooth lawn 

 he looks double his real size, and reminds one of a magpie in a field 

 or an oyster-catcher on a wide stretch of level sand. 



The pied wagtail is found in this country all the year round, but 

 many birds (probably the large majority) migrate annually. Knox. 

 in his ' Ornithological Rambles in Sussex,' says that they arrive on 



