228 



THE WHITE WAGTAIL. 



W A GT A I LS. 



We now arrive at a small group of birds, whicli is sufficiently familiar to every observer 

 of nature througli the different representatives wliich inhabit this country. The Wagtails, 

 so called from their well-known habit of jerking. their tails while running on the ground or on 

 settling immediately after a flight, are found in both hemispheres, and are all well known by 

 the habit from which they derive their popular title. No less than nine species of this group 

 occur in Europe, some of which are nearly as well kno^vn as the common sparrow, while others 

 are less familiar to the casual observer. 



The Pied Wagtail is the most common of all the European examples of this genus, and 

 may be seen at the proj)er season of the year near almost every jjond or brook, or even in the 

 open road, tripping daintily over the ground, pecking away at the insects, and wagging its 

 tail with hearty good-will. 



Mr. Yarrell mentions that this bird is an accomplished fisher, and excels in snapping up 

 the smaller minnows and fry as they come to the surface of the water. It also haunts the fields 

 where sheep, horses, or horned cattle are kept, and hovers confidingly close to their hoofs, 

 pecking away biiskly at the little insects which are disturbed by their tread. It also delights 

 in newly-mown lawns, and runs over the smooth surface with great agility, peering between 

 every grass-blade in search of the insects which may be lying concealed in their green shelter. 

 The flight of the Pied Wagtail is short and jerking, the bird rising and falling in a very peculiar 

 manner with every shake of the wings. 



Several Wagtails which used to frequent our garden were fond of meat, and, together with 

 the blue titmice, would often assault, or rather pretend to assault, the tame sparrow-hawk, 

 and cruelly steal his dinner before his eyes. Indeed, the Wagtails seemed to be quite the. 

 rulers over that unfortunate hawk, and led him a sad life. 



yi^^-^m^ 





WHITE WAGTAIL.— jT/oto«7to alba. 



As the White Wagtail has often been confounded with the preceding species, I have 

 th<;iight that a figure of each species would be advisable in the present work. According to 

 Ml'. Gould, who first determined the characteristics between the two species, they may be dis- 

 t in, wished from each other by the following marks of difference :— 



