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tail is expanded into a fan, so as to show the 

 white outer feathers, then it is either raised 

 and lowered alternately, or merely held de- 

 pressed. Normally the tail is carried almost 

 vertically. The nest is invariably placed in a 

 cavity of a tree or a building. 



The pied wagtail always nests near water. 

 If not on the ground, the nursery rests on some 

 structure built by man. 



A visit to a bridge of boats in April is sure 

 to reveal a nest of this charming bird. Hume 

 records a case of a pair of pied wagtails nesting 

 in a ferry-boat. This, it is true, was seldom 

 used, but did occasionally cross the Jumna. On 

 such occasions the hen would continue to sit, 

 while the cock stood on the gunwale, pouring 

 forth his sweet song, and made, from time 

 to time, little sallies over the water after 

 a flying gnat. Mr. A. J. Currie found 

 at Lahore a nest of these wagtails in a 

 ferry-boat in daily use ; so that the birds 

 must have selected the site and built the nest 

 while the boat was passing to and fro across 

 the river ! 



Yet another black-and-white bird nests in 

 April. This is the pied bush-chat (Pratincola 

 taprata). The cock is black all over, save for 



