138 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



The nest is generally placed on the ground on 

 the brink of a stream.* I have, however, found 

 the nest of this bird in a rough stone wall, nearly 

 as much as a hundred yards from a stream. It is 

 generally made of dry grass and roots, and lined 

 with hair. 



The plumage of the Grey Wagtail is exceedingly 

 bright and gay ; the beak is dusky brown, the edges 

 of both mandibles being light brown ; irides dark 

 hazel ; head, neck, ear-coverts, back and scapulars 

 light bluish grey ; there is a streak of light buff over 

 each eye ; the wing-coverts are dark dusky, slightly 

 edged with a lighter shade; rump and tail-coverts 

 bright yellow ; tail dusky, the two central feathers 

 edged with yellow, the outside feather on each side 

 white ; the two next feathers on each side are also 

 white, except a small line on the outer web, which is 

 dusky ; primary and secondary quills dusky ; tertials 

 the same, edged with dirty white and yellow ; throat 

 and breast white, tinged with buff; belly white and 

 yellow ; under tail- coverts very bright yellow, the 

 same as the upper ; legs, toes and claws pale brown. 

 In the breeding season the male has the throat 

 black, and the breast at that time is more yellow, 

 and without the tinge of buff. 



The eggs are about the same size as those of the 

 last species : the ground colour very dull white, 



* See Yarrell, vol. i., p. 433. 



