80 BIRD-LIFE IN A SOUTHERN COUNTY. 



shingle, and in the wet meadows and osier-beds 

 a little way inland. These large assemblies 

 remain about Tor Bay for weeks, and many 

 birds winter with us ; but a considerable number 

 eventually disappear, and may possibly move still 

 more to the south-west. It is interesting to watch 

 these Wagtails searching for food at the very edge 

 of the sea, dodging the waves as they roll inshore, 

 and actually mingling with Ringed Plovers, San- 

 derlings, and Dunlins. The same remarks, to a 

 very great extent, apply to the Yellow Wagtail. 

 This graceful and showy species is often very 

 abundant, especially in spring, and may be met 

 with in much the same localities. From time to 

 time a large company of these Wagtails arrive 

 and stay upon the coast for a week or more, 

 crowding specially upon the headlands, prepara- 

 tory to their flight across the Channel, or as if to 

 rest and recruit in spring, ere passing north to the 

 breeding grounds. There can be no doubt that the 

 Yellow Wagtail breeds in the county, but rarely 

 in the south. In the neighbourhood of Paignton 

 the favourite resorts of these Wagtails are water 

 meadows, and in these spots, which are rarely 

 quite dry all through the year, we have on more 



