178 Motacillidce. 



for such title. Is it possible that the black throat which it 

 exhibits in the breeding season should give rise to the name ? 

 In Scotland it is known as the ' Seed-bird,' because it arrives at 

 the season when in those more northern latitudes farmers are 

 sowing their land. In Wiltshire it remains, though sparingly, 

 throughout the year ; and this is one of the few South- Western 

 Counties enumerated where it has been known to breed. In 

 France it is Bergeronnette jaune, ' Yellow little Shepherdess' ; 

 Gul Aria, ' Yellow Wagtail/ in Sweden. 



67. GRAY-HEADED WAGTAIL (Motacilla negkcta). 



This species is rarely met with in England, perhaps I should 

 say is rarely recognised, for it bears so close a resemblance to 

 M. flava, next to be described, which is extremely common every- 

 where, that it is difficult to distinguish between them without 

 very close and minute examination ; and so, in all probability, it 

 is very often overlooked. A careful observer will, however, notice 

 that it has a white line over the eyes, and a white chin, both of 

 which in Ray's Wagtail are yellow ; and that it has a gray head, 

 which in M. flava is light olive. In habits and manners it differs 

 nothing from its congeners. 



I place it with the utmost confidence in the Wiltshire list, on 

 the authority of the Rev. G. Marsh, who possessed a specimen 

 killed at Marshfield, near Chippenham, in October, 1841. The 

 Rev. A. P. Morres, though he cannot speak positively, thinks he 

 has seen it in the water meadows at Britford. Mr. Norwood 

 reports that he saw a pair near the South- Western station at 

 Salisbury, and Mr. Baker killed a bird at Mere, which he con- 

 sidered to belong to this species, but of which some doubts were 

 afterwards entertained. 



68. RAY'S WAGTAIL (Motacilla flava}. 



This is our common Yellow Wagtail, which flocks here every 

 summer, and leaves us in the autumn ; it frequents open planta- 

 tions and arable land, and fields of sprouting wheat, as well as 

 meadows, open downs, and sheep pastures, and does not seem so 



