120 OUR NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



waders, for it T\dll remain in the shallow water for 

 ten minutes at a time, walking along in pursuit of 

 spiders and other insects. Sometimes it may be 

 seen thus employed at the edge of the rivulet, or 

 running along over the lawn of the garden, or on 

 the meadow land ; or making a short and sudden 

 flight, with its tail outspread like a broad oar, and 

 sailing about in the air with most graceful evolutions. 

 It is no wonder that tlie birds have the popular 

 name of wagtail, for this tail of theirs seems in 

 incessant motion, vibrating not only in its Hat and 

 oar-like state durinc!; flight, but also quivering per- 

 petually when raised in a perpendicular direction, 

 as the lively creatm*e runs along the ground. 

 The French call these birds les lavandieres, for 

 they are often the constant companions of the 

 washerwomen, wlio in France assemble by the 

 sides of rivers to perform their occupations, and 

 whose operation of beating the linen the wagtails 

 seem to imitate by the movements of their tails. 

 The birds seem, indeed, at all times perfect types 

 of symmetry and glee, running witli delight into 

 the water, waging perpetual war with the insect 

 race, and, during the period when their young 

 demand food, requiring no small number to provide 



