THE WAGTAILS GRACFtJLfrSS 2oi 



through the air at each rise, then dropping 

 slightly, and then, at intervals of some seconds, 

 the note is repeated. When near the spot it 

 wishes to reach, it will drop quickly in a slanting 

 direction, flying several yards beyond ; then, giving 

 a sudden twist in the air, will skim along the 

 surface of the ground and settle on the place it 

 has already passed. 



The part of the stream to which our bird has 

 flown is partly dried up, and small islands covered 

 with short grass are formed, making an ideal 

 feeding-ground for such inhabitants. Let us 

 stalk up to these islands, carefully keeping behind 

 the bushes where we shall not be seen, and where 

 we can still hear the bird's note ; for now it has 

 settled, a note is still uttered at intervals. There 

 seems to be plenty of food on the islands, for as 

 soon as we catch sight of the bird we see it 

 walking elegantly about and busily feeding. How 

 dignified is its whole bearing, as it walks from 

 island to island ; not hopping across as some 

 birds might do, but walking over the weeds on 

 the surface of the water, or wading across in more 

 shallow parts where there are no weeds. How 

 gracefully is the little well-formed head held up, 

 while it moves backwards and forward with each 

 movement caused by walking ! and when standing 



