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NEST AND EGGS OF THE GRAY-WAGTAIL. 



PLATE L. 



The Gray-Wagtail comes to us in April, and leaves 

 us before winter. Its haunts are constantly stony 

 brooks or rivulets. The nest is most generally placed 

 on the ledge of some rock whose foot is washed by 

 the current. The materials are dried grass, moss, and 

 fibres of roots. The nest I now describe, was placed 

 on a moist overshadowed rock, about six feet from the 

 surface of the water. 



The outside consists of roots, moss, and grass ; the 

 next coat consists of the same materials, but smaller 

 and finer ; the lining, immediately under the eggs, is 

 a plentiful mixture of black and white hair. The nest 

 is firm, round, and compact. 



The eggs are four or five ; the ground colour a 

 dead white, and are speckled with small brown spots. 



The cock has a pleasing song in breeding time ; his 

 voice is low, but the notes are soft and well varied. 



I am informed that this bird abides in Encrland all 



o 



the year, that it comes into the north in summer to 

 breed, and retires to the south to spend the winter. 



