204 BRITISH BIRDS. 



the western, the former having on an average a slightly shorter tail than 

 the latter. The extremes vary from 3^ to 4 inches ; but every inter- 

 mediate measurement is found, and occasionally the measurements do 

 not agree accurately with the geographical distribution. 



The haunts of this fairy-like and graceful little bird are never far from 

 running waters. It appears to love them best when in their wildest moods ; 

 and it frequents the rocky banks of mountain-rivers and streams, espe- 

 cially if they are well wooded, living in scattered pairs, each appearing to 

 have its own range. 



The Grey Wagtail has always been one of my special favourites. In 

 spite of its name, the delicate brilliancy of its plumage entitles it to be 

 considered one of our most elegant native birds. All its movements cor- 

 respond ; nothing can be more graceful than the way in which it will run 

 along the margin of a still pool, leaving the impression of its delicate feet 

 on the sand, or daintily flit from stone to stone in the running stream. It 

 rarely, if ever, frequents pastures, as the other Wagtails are fond of doing ; 

 nor have I ever seen it on the lawn or in the farmyard ; it confines itself 

 almost entirely to rivers and brooks. I first became acquainted with these 

 charming birds in the neighbourhood of Saffron Walden. Between this 

 town and Audley End lies Lord Braybrooke's park ; a winding brook runs 

 through it, by the margin of which you might stroll any winter's morning 

 with the certainty of seeing one or two pairs of Grey Wagtails. They 

 were regular winter migrants, appearing about the middle of October and 

 disappearing as regularly towards the end of March. Every autumn the 

 Fieldfare, the Redwing, the Royston Crow, and the Grey Wagtail were the 

 most conspicuous heralds of winter; and every spring they vanish as 

 completely. I next met with this bird among the Derbyshire moors, near 

 Sheffield, but this time as a summer visitor. You may stroll along the 

 banks of the Derwent any summer day, from Ashopton to Yorkshire Bridge, 

 with the certainty of seeing one or two pairs of Grey Wagtails, and with 

 almost equal certainty of finding one of their nests. The river is broad and 

 full of rocks and stones, and the banks are often steep and rocky. A good 

 fly-fisher wading up stream will, on a lucky day, soon fill his creel with 

 trout, and have ample opportunities of watching the Common Sandpiper, 

 the Dipper, and the Grey Wagtail, which all breed close to the river-side. 

 The Pied Wagtails are especially numerous, flitting from stone to stone, 

 allowing you to approach almost close to them before they will fly off to 

 another stone or perhaps to a tree, uttering their alarm-note of chiz-zit, 

 chiz-zit. The Grey Wagtails are much less numerous and very much 

 more shy ; and if you wish to watch their graceful movements you must 

 conceal yourself or be very quiet. In their habits they resemble the other 

 Wagtails, running very rapidly and gracefully, continually moving their 

 tails up and down, and now and then taking a snatch at an insect, assisted 



