180 Among the Birds in Northern Shires. 



to wander about his land at all times and seasons 

 without let or hindrance, and study the birds upon it 

 to our heart's content. But to return to the Wagtails. 

 The Yellow Wagtail is the most closely attached to 

 the fields and pastures of the two; it may often be 

 seen running amongst the cattle, and is a numerous 

 visitor to the fallows in March. Both in spring and 

 autumn Wagtails gather into flocks and migrate thus 

 together. The Pied Wagtail is very fond of nesting 

 in a hole in the wall of some outbuilding, and will 

 tenant one spot with great regularity season after 

 season. The Yellow Wagtail is perhaps the least 

 aquatic in its habits, as the Gray Wagtail is the most. 

 Both Magpies and Jays are also very frequently 

 observed upon the fields searching for worms and 

 grubs; whilst the fleet- winged Swallows and Martins 

 during their summer sojourn fly over many times 

 every acre of the farm, and, as most readers know, 

 are extremely fond of rearing their broods in or on 

 the buildings attached thereto. We never met a 

 farmer who would allow these birds to be molested. 

 Happy birds! They at least are secure in the 

 farmers' friendship, and not even the gamekeeper 

 can say a word against them. The Cuckoo is much 

 less fortunate in this respect ; the farmer, we honestly 

 believe, has a genuine love for the bird, and delights 

 to hear its loud and happy voice across his fields, for 

 it tells him that winter is passed, and that better 



