128 BIRD GALLERY. 



speaking they resemble the Warblers in their mode of life, but some, 

 such as Mniotilta varia (2359), are more like Creepers and run up trees 

 with almost the same facility. They differ from our Warblers in having 

 only nine primary quills and in being more brightly coloured. About 

 a hundred and fifty species have been distinguished, but it is doubtful 

 whether some of the genera included in this family should not be placed 

 elsewhere, the " American Redstarts " (Setophagd) (2366-7) being 

 referred by certain authors to the Flycatchers, which they resemble in 

 appearance and habits, while others appear to have more affinity to the 

 Wrens, Greenlets, and Tanagers respectively. The most numerously 

 represented genus Dendrceca (2354-8) includes nearly forty species, of 

 which the Golden Warbler (D. (estiva} (2354) is one of the most familiar 

 North American birds. The cup- shaped nest of this bird and other 

 allied forms is placed in trees and bushes and the eggs are spotted with 

 reddish brown, lilac, and grey. 



Family XXX. MOTACILLID^E. WAGTAILS AND PIPITS. 



[Case 78.] The nine- quilled Passeres included in this family range over the 

 greater part of the World, but are absent in Polynesia. As in the Larks 

 the inner secondary quills are greatly lengthened and as long as the 

 primaries. With the exception of two species which occur in North- 

 west America, the Wagtails (Motacilla) (2368-74) are entirely confined 

 to the Old World. They are almost entirely terrestrial in their habits and 

 frequent the vicinity of water, both fresh and salt, meadows, and damp 

 ground. With quick running movements and constantly vibrating tail, 

 they catch flies and other insects, occasionally capturing them on the 

 wing. Of all birds Wagtails are the most graceful both in their form 

 and movements. Five species visit and breed in the British Islands, 

 viz.: the Pied (2369), White (2370), Grey (2371), Yellow or Ray's 

 (2372), and Blue-headed (2373) Wagtails. Of these, the first-named is 

 by far the commonest, while the last, though it has been known to breed, 

 can only be regarded as an irregular visitor on migration. The Pipits 

 (Anthus) are generally to be distinguished by their sombre brown coloring, 

 the most notable exception being the East African Tmetothylacus tenellus 

 (2383), which has most of the plumage yellow. In external appearance 

 and habits they are very similar to Larks, and the males soar in the air 

 while they sing. On the British list we find the Tree- (2375), Meadow- 

 (2376), and Rock- (2377) Pipits, which are common and breed; the 

 Norwegian form of the Rock-Pipit (A. rupestris] (2378) which only 

 occurs on migration; and the Red-throated (2379), Tawny (2380), 

 Richard's (2381), and Water- (2382) Pipits, all accidental stragglers to 

 our shores. The African genus Macronyx (2385-7) includes several 



