130 WAGTAIl, CUCKOO. 



THE WAGTAIL. 



Wagtails are principally inhabitants of Europe and 

 Asia, where many species are very numerous. They do 

 not hop like most of the small birds, but run nimbly along 

 the ground, and are distinguished by their lively motions 

 and the continued wagging of their long tails. The Wag- 

 tails frequent the borders of pools and rivulets, for the 

 sake of the insects and worms which are found there ; they 

 have generally a weak flight, and twitter as they go 

 along, perching but seldom ; they build their nests on or 

 near the ground. 



THE WHITE, OR WATER-WAGTAIL 



Is about seven inches long: its plumage is of white, black, 

 and grey. It builds its nest among a heap of stones, or in 

 a hole in a wall, or on the top of a pollard tree ; it is com- 

 posed of moss, dry grass, and fibrous roots, interwoven 

 with wool, and lined with feathers or hair. The female 

 lays four or five eggs, white, spotted with light brown and 

 ash. The attention of the parent birds to their young is 

 very great -, they continue to feed them for three or four 

 weeks after the young are able to fly, and will defend 

 them from danger with great courage. These little birds 

 will give the alarm on the approach of the hawk, and 

 unite witn the swallows in pursuing him ; they are very 

 nice about their nests, and carefully remove from them all 

 dirt and extraneous matters. These birds have but a 

 small and insignificant note, but it is constantly repeated, 

 especially during the spring. 



THE COMMON CUCKOO 



Visits the more northern countries in the summer season ; 

 it arrives in England about April, and remains till the 

 beginning of July. The Cuckoo eggs have been discover- 

 ed in the nests of at least twenty different birds, but most 

 frequently in those of the hedge-sparrow. The female 

 generally lays her egg during the absence of the real 



