io Birds that come to our 



formed grey wagtail would take up its abode in our 

 gardens, as does its pied cousin. " Grey wagtail " he 

 is called, in spite of his brilliant yellow breast, his 

 black throat, and his olive-green wings and tail with 

 white edgings. It is a name which would be much 

 more applicable to what is usually called the " white 

 wagtail " (Motacilla Alba]. 



The Latin title of the " grey " bird is more appro- 

 priate, i.e., Motacilla sulphurea. The late Lord Lilford 

 suggested "the long-tailed wagtail." 



To find him, you must frequent mountain torrents 

 and quiet rivers, where he builds in banks and under 

 boulders. 



So too with the yellow wagtail (Ray's). In the 

 water-meadows amongst the coarse grasses and the 

 golden kingcups (the marsh marigolds), with which 

 its breast vies in hue, this bright little fellow is seen, 

 but never on our lawns. 



The swallows, on the contrary, may be looked upon 

 as amongst the tamest of birds. I mean with regard 

 to the sites they select for nesting. Year after year it 

 is evident that particular pairs of birds return in April 

 to their home of the previous summer. 



I believe that they would build in the rooms of the 

 house, if they had the opportunity. 



They come to the porch, and will feed their young 

 above your head as you stand upon the steps, and will 

 often attempt again and again to build after the former 

 efforts have been removed, through your careful con- 

 sideration of the desirable cleanliness of the chief 

 entrance to your home. And when you have driven 



