THE WAGTAILS. 29 



flies, for which its quick gait and motions seem expressly fitted." 



Here is a pretty and graphic picture of the habits of the bird 

 given by Knox, in his "Ornithological Rambles:" " On the dry days 

 in March, I have frequently seen Pied Wagtails approaching the coast, 

 aided by a gentle breeze from the south, the well-known call-note 

 being distinctly audible under such favourable circumstances from a 

 considerable distance at sea, even long before the birds themselves 

 could be perceived. The fields in the immediate neighbourhood, 

 where, but a short time before, scarcely a single individual was to be 

 found, are soon tenanted by numbers of this species, and for several 

 days they continue dropping on the beach in small parties. 



"About the beginning of September, an early riser visiting the 

 fields in the neighbourhood of the coast may observe them flying 

 invariably from east to west, parallel to the shore, and following 

 each other in constant succession. These flights continue from day- 

 light till about ten in the forenoon; and it is a remarkable fact, 

 that so steadily do they pursue this course, and so pertinaceous are 

 they in adhering to it, that even a shot fired at an advancing party 

 and the death of more than one individual, have failed to induce 

 the remainder to fly in a different direction; for after opening to the 

 right and left, their ranks have again closed, and the progress towards 

 the west has been resumed as before." 



The Pied Wagtails commence building in April, early or late 

 according as the season may be mild or otherwise. The nest is placed 

 generally near to water, it may be in a hole of .a wall or bank; the 

 side of a bridge; in a hollow in a heap of stones; the side of a hay- 

 stack or wood heap; or even amid the rank grass at the margin of 

 a ditch: but they do not seem very particular as to situation, for 

 one has been found in a turnip field. Grass stems, leaves, small 

 roots, and moss, generally compose the outer part of the structure, 

 and wool, hair, thistle-down, or feathers the inner; these materials 

 are but loosely put together. The eggs are five or six in number, of 

 a longish oval shape, and a bluish white or grey colour; sometimes 

 this ground tint, which has darker grey and brown spots all over 

 it, has a yellowish or greenish cast. They vary considerably, how- 

 ever, both in size and colour. A fortnight suffices for the hatching 

 of the young, and as soon as these can fly and shift for themselves, 

 the parent birds, if they have brought forth their first at all early, 

 prepare for a second brood. 



Although a shy timorous bird generally, yet this species sometimes 

 displays great courage and boldness when her young have to be 

 taken care of, or her eggs protected; she is with difficulty driven 



