Pied Wagtail. 177 



that remain in England through the winter generally join the 

 Pipits in resorting to turnip-fields, where they find shelter and 

 minute slugs, as well as insect food. In Scandinavia, where they 

 never pass the winter, their appearance in spring about the time 

 the ice is breaking up is anxiously looked for, and the bird is 

 known as Is-spjdrna, literally, the 'Kicker away of the Ice.' 

 Elsewhere in Sweden it is known as Kok Aria, or the ' Clod 

 Wagtail/ because it is so constantly seen among the clods in the 

 new-ploughed fields. There is, moreover, a saying in some parts 

 of the country that if the farmer commences ploughing either 

 before the coming or departure of the Wagtail, success will not 

 attend his endeavours.* In Egypt, where it is very common, it 

 is figured in the hieroglyphic legends as ' the type of an impure 

 or wicked person;' and is still called there Aboo Fussad, or the 

 ' Father of Corruption,' though why it should be a bird of bad 

 omen does not so readily appear.*f- The name by which it is 

 generally known in Wiltshire is ' Dishwasher/ and in France La 

 Lavandiere, and in Spain Lavandera, ' Washerwoman ;' but in 

 Germany Bachstelze, ' Brook- trotter/ 



66. GREY WAGTAIL (Motacilla boarula). 



By no means common, but yet generally, though sparingly, 

 dispersed, and to be found in most localities. It is even more 

 graceful and slender, and has a still longer tail than the last. 

 Its prevailing colours are slate-gray above and bright yellow 

 below, with black throat, wings, and tail. It is less sociable and 

 familiar than its pied relative, and is, in short, of solitary habits, 

 and seeks secluded spots where it may live undisturbed, haunt- 

 ing the margins of streams, which it seldom leaves. In allusion 

 to the localities it frequents, the Maltese call it Zadak ta del, 

 ' Wagtail of shady places/ Why it should be dubbed melanope, 

 or ' black-faced/ as it is by some of our best ornithologists, I am 

 at a loss to know, though doubtless they have some good reason 



Lloyd's ' Scandinavian Adventures,' vol. ii., p. 302. 



f Dr. A. L. Adams on the 'Birds of Egypt and Nubia,' mills for 186i, 

 p. 21. 



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