THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. 



porary, and future numbers do not result from it. 

 Some motive for the increase, no doubt, existed ; 

 but, the object being accomplished, it ceases, and 

 apparent events, or imperceptible causes, reduce 

 the profusion of the race, so that certain numbers 

 only continue. This little tree-creeper, though 

 always active, seems to possess most animation and 

 restlessness in the autumnal months. 



The yellow wagtail (motacilla flava) is so regu- 

 larly seen with us in his season, as to be quite a 

 common bird, breeding in our fields ; yet generally 

 observed as he is, he always invites our attention, 

 by his graceful form and brilliant plumage, either 

 actively running in our path, or sporting in the 

 pastures with that animation and ease so remarkable 

 in all this family, that we may justly distinguish 

 them as the gentles of our fields. With manners 

 and habits similar to the common grey ones, yet 

 there seems to be but little intimate association 

 between the species ; and though they are occasion- 

 ally intermixed, we most commonly observe them 

 feeding by themselves and frolicking with their 

 own particular race. In autumn/, when their broods 

 are united with them, they assemble in large parties 

 towards the evening preparatory to their nightly 

 roost, selecting low spreading bushes hanging over 

 the pool, or as near the water as they can, and thus 

 become secured from capture by nocturnal vermin. 

 Being in full beauty at this time, the fine yellow 



