THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. 129 



loj Selby, however, as having been seen in the 

 south of England in the winter only during its 

 southern migration. It has two broods each season. 

 The nest is usually placed in some rocky ledge 

 near the clear pebbly stream, or among some 

 heap of stones, or percliance in a hole which the 

 bird finds in a neighbouring bank, Avhere the 

 gentle murmuring of waters may serve as an 

 accompaniment to its pleasing song. The eggs 

 are of a yellowish gi'ey tint, with dashes of a 

 darker colour. 



The Yellow Wagtail* {Motacilla flava) frequents 

 downs and open arable lands, and is very similar 

 in its habits to the grey species. It builds on the 

 gTOund, and its eggs are of a pale brown, marked 

 with a darker hue. It is a migratory bird, arriv- 

 ing here in March ; and its song is very sweet. 



Besides the various songs of the birds already 

 named as frequenters of well-watered lands, the 

 call-notes and chirpings of several others may be 

 heard in such scenes ; and the low sweet notes of the 

 Bearded Titmouse ( Calamoj^hilus hiarmicus) in some 



* The Yellow Wagtail is six inches and a half in length. 

 Upper parts pale olive ; wing and tail browner ; whole under 

 parts, as well as a streak over the eye, brilliant yellow ; beak and 

 ieet black. 



K 



