ORDER PASSERES. 51 



composed of twelve rectrices nearly equal, with the two late- 

 ral, however, shorter than the eight intermediate quills. 



M. Cuvier has separated the wagtails proper from the bu- 

 dytes, a name derived from these latter birds being frequently 

 seen amongst cattle. There is, however, very great analogy 

 between the two sections. Perhaps our popular name of wag- 

 tail is the best to apply to both. 



The majority of the wagtails proper, and all the yellow 

 wagtails (Bergeronnette de Printemps), migrate from our 

 northern countries at the approach of winter. The boarula, 

 on the contrary, comes to pass the winter with us, and quits 

 us when the others return. It is said to nestle in the German 

 districts, which border on the French territories. 



All these birds frequent meadows, and humid and marshy 

 places, delighting in the borders of rivulets and rivers. Most 

 of them have an undulating flight. They all run rather than 

 walk ; seldom perch, sing, or cry, during their flight ; and con- 

 struct their nest on the ground. That of the white wagtail is, 

 however, sometimes found in a pile of wood, along side of the 

 banks, or in the hole of some wall whose base is washed by 

 waters. Insects and small worms are their only aliment. 



The White Wagtails {M. Alba) have a mode of life peculiar 

 to themselves, and habits which distinguish them from bu- 

 dytes. They more readily approach man and his habitations, 

 being fond of nestling in our neighbourhood. The others, 

 more wild, inhabit the vicinity of the meadows and isolated 

 herbaceous tracts. The former prefer stagnant waters, and 

 the latter delight more in the borders of springs and running 

 streams. Both run with the cattle, fly about the labourer, 

 accompany him in his rural labours, and follow the plough 

 in pursuit of small worms and larvae, of which the newly 

 turned furrows present a vast abundance. These insectivora, 

 as useful as the fly-catchers and swallows, sometimes in the 

 flight, but more frequently on the ground, amidst the herb- 

 age, seize upon the flies and gnats which have escaped the 



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