WHITE WAGTAIL. 429 



heard of two others that were obtained by Mr. James J. 

 Tratham, in the vicinity of Falmouth. Mr. Bond also told 

 me, in the spring of 1843, that he had again seen one 

 example near the Kingsbury Reservoir. 



That this species is the true Motacilla alba of Linneus 

 the coloured figures and descriptions of Swedish and other 

 continental authors, leave no room to doubt, and when the 

 subject has been further investigated, it will probably be 

 found that the present species, the true Motacilla alba, and 

 therefore called the White Wagtail, is only a summer 

 visitor to Britain, while many of the better known Pied 

 Wagtails remain with us all the year ; their numbers, how- 

 ever, receiving an increase by visitors from the Continent 

 every spring. A. E. Knox, Esq., who is well located on 

 our southern coast for observations on the migratory birds, 

 and bestows time and great attention to the subject, says, 

 that Wagtails arrive on the coast of Sussex by the beginning 

 of March, and generally during a gentle wind from the 

 south. It is probable that both species on their arrival are 

 less distinct in colour than they are afterwards at a later 

 period, and Mr. Knox observes, that the Pied Wagtails on 

 their arrival are farther advanced towards the plumage 

 peculiar to the breeding-season, than those which have 

 remained in this country all the previous winter ; the 

 permanent pearl-grey or light ash-grey of the whole of 

 the back in the White Wagtail being the most obvious 

 distinction. 



There is this difference in the habits of the two species 

 in this country. The White Wagtail is not so partial to 

 water as the Pied Wagtail, and though found and shot 

 near ploughed land, does not follow the plough, which 

 seems to denote some difference in the choice of food ; it 

 has also a hoarser voice, as recorded by Mr. Borrer, Hew- 

 itson, and others. 



