THE WAGTAIL. 



303 



the body slender, but firm at the shoulders, and tapering 

 backwards ; the tail very long, and well fortified by coverts, 

 both upper and under, and the wings rather short, but also 

 well supported by coverts, and pointed, the second quill 

 being the longest. The bill is slender, awl-shaped, has a 

 ridge or keel on the upper part, and margins to the edges of 

 both mandibles at the middle. The tarsi long and strong, 

 and also the hinder toe, the claw upon which is considerably 

 produced. The whole air is expressive of energy and varied 

 motion, whether in the air or on the ground. 



They run with great rapidity, and do not hop or require 

 the aid of their wings in running; they can run upon the 

 surface of very soft ground without sinking, and over slippery 

 pebbles by the brooks without any unsteadiness ; and when 

 it is necessary for them to change from running to flying, 

 they can take wing from either of those surfaces with great 

 ease. The following cut will show the difference in structure 

 between a foot adapted for running upon or rising from 

 grass, and one adapted for such places as those on which the 

 wagtails run. 



LarTc. 



Wagtail. 



These characters are remarkably well suited to the haunts 

 of the wagtails, and the modes in which they acquire their 

 food. They live beside the waters, upon the soft muddy 

 banks, or the pebbly strands, where they run and capture 

 such land or aquatic insects as present themselves ; or they 

 quarter the surface by short but rapid flights, and snatch 



