THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. 441 



which, they find shade in the winter ; and the resident birds be- 

 take themselves to the north in the summer, where the deep 

 shade and the rank vegetation by the sides of the pools and streams 

 do not interfere with their pedestrian habits." 



The following cut will show the difference in structure between 

 the foot of the Lark and Wagtail, the first being adapted for 

 running upon or rising from the grass ; and the latter from the 

 soft muddy banks or pebbly strands, where the bird to which 

 they belong finds its appropriate food and habitation. 



172. THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. 



Motacilla Flava, LIN. Bergeranette de Printemps, BUF. Die Gelbe 

 Bachstelze, BECH. 



Description. This bird, which resembles the female of the 

 preceding species, but has a shorter tail, is six inches and a 

 half in length, of which the tail measures two inches and a 

 half. The beak is blackish brown ; the iris nut-brown ; the 

 shanks black, and ten lines in height. The upper part of the 

 body is reddish grey, with a strong tinge of olive green, which 

 on the rump changes to Siskin green. The head is rather grey 

 than green ; and a reddish white streak passes over the eyes. 

 The under part of the body is a fine yellow, and in old birds 

 sulphur colour, darker on the throat and breast, and lighter on 

 the belly and vent. The wings are dark brown, and, as well 

 as the larger coverts, edged with reddish white, which pro- 

 duces two white streaks on the wings. The tail is black, 

 though the two external feathers are quite white, with the 

 exception of a black stripe on each. 



In the female the back is more grey than green ; the belly 

 and vent are not so fine a yellow ; the throat is whitish, and, 

 as well as the belly, spotted with orange. 



I have obtained from a fowler this spring a peculiar variety 

 of this bird. The upper part of the body was almost slate- 

 coloured ; the stripe over the eyes, and those across the wings, 



