126 OUE NATIVE SONGSTERS. 



the intruder was liatclied at the same time as the 

 rest, and soon had the whole nest to itself." 



On another occasion, a cuckoo was observed 

 to deposit its egg in the nest of the pied wagtail. 

 In process of time, the young foundling was seen 

 at the top of the thatch of the building where the 

 nest was, and wliere its foster-parents carefully fed 

 it. The swallows, however, are not so forbearing 

 with intruders, but seemed in this case liighly 

 indignant, and determined to frighten the innocent 

 cause of their displeasure. They came down upon 

 it, swooping to and fro in their anger, but the 

 little cuckoo made neither defence nor appeal, but 

 simply threw back its head, and opened its mouth, 

 though, as he who observed it adds, " whether in 

 fear, or to intimidate them, I cannot say." 



The Grey Wagtail* [MotaciUa hoarula) is even 

 a more elegant and graceful bird than the pied 



* The Grey Wagtail is seven inches and three quarters in 

 length. Upper parts slate-grey; wing and tail feathers black 

 with yellowish edges ; the outmost feathery of the tail almost 

 wholly white ; chin and throat black, descending in a point on 

 the breast ; a streak above each eye, and one on the side of the 

 neck pale bufiP; whole under parts and the upper tail-coverts 

 brilliant yellow. In 'v\'inter the black disappears from the chin 

 and throat, which with the breast and belly become yellowish- 

 white ; the beak and feet are dusky brown. 



