THE SINGING BIRDS. 283 



a thoughtful, deliberate bearing, bowing the head at each step, and agitating the tail so incessantly 

 as to entitle them to the name by which they are commonly known. Their flight is light and 

 undulatory, being produced by a rapid opening and closing of the wings, and their song, though by 

 no means powerful, is simple and pleasing. Flies, beetles, and larvae of all kinds afford them their 

 principal means of subsistence ; these they not only seek upon the ground, but pursue them to a 

 considerable distance through the air. The northern species migrate as far as Central Africa and 

 India ; others only wander somewhat farther south, but few remain throughout the entire year in their 

 native land. The nest, which is carelessly formed of twigs, roots, straw, grass, moss, and dry leaves, 

 is lined internally with wool, or some similar material, and is constructed in holes or hollows in the 

 vicinity of water ; if no stream or pond is at hand, a mere pool will often satisfy the requirements of 

 the building pairs. The eggs have a thin, finely-spotted, light grey shell. The nestlings, when first 

 fledged, entirely differ from the parents in their appearance. 



Most species of Wagtail exhibit a decided predilection for the immediate neighbourhood of man, 

 whose favour they almost invariably obtain by their confiding ami lively disposition. 



THE WHITE WAGTAIL. 



The White Wagtail {Motaalla alba) is grey upon the mantle, the nape is of velvety blackness, 

 the throat and upper part of breast are also black, the rest of the under side brown, while the bridles, 

 cheeks, and sides of the throat are white ; the quills are black, edged with whitish grey ; the centre 

 tail-feathers are black, the rest white. The female resembles her mate, but the black patch upon her 

 throat is of smaller size. After the moulting season both sexes have a white patch upon the throat, 

 surrounded by a horseshoe-shaped black line. The young are of a dull grey above, and grey or dirty 

 white beneath, with the exception of a dark line on the throat. The eyes of all are deep brown, the 

 beak and feet black. This species is seven inches and a half long, and ten inches and two-thirds 

 broad ; the wing measures three inches and a quarter and the tail three inches and three-quarters. 



The White Wagtail is found in every part of Europe ; in Africa as far as eleven degrees north 

 latitude ; and in Asia as far south as Aden ; it appears in Europe about March, and leaves again in 

 October or December. Like other members of its family this species frequents the neighbourhood of 

 water, and lives in a state of continual restlessness ; even when the bird is not running to and fro, the 

 tail is constantly agitated. Its movements closely resemble those of other Wagtails, and its song is 

 agreeable but very simple. Although social as regards their own kind, these birds always exhibit a 

 most pugnacious and daring disposition towards the rest of their feathered companions, whatever 

 their size or powers ; indeed, so entirely are they free from any timidity, or sense of inferiority, that 

 they often combine in parties, and pursue really large birds of prey, meanwhile uttering such loud 

 cries as warn the whole neighbourhood of the impending danger ; the enemy having been routed the 

 party separate, after noisily expressing their pleasure at the feat they have accomplished. Insects 

 and larvae afford them their principal means of subsistence ; it is not uncommon to see these bold 

 birds seize their prey from under the very feet of the cattle as they graze, or follow the footsteps of 

 the ploughman as he turns up the earth. The pairing season is inaugurated by desperate battles 

 between the rival males, who confront each other upon the ground and fight till one or the other is 

 compelled to quit the field. No sooner has the victor obtained undisputed possession of his prize, 

 than his whole demeanour changes, and he becomes as tender and gentle as he was before fierce and 

 quarrelsome. Each couple takes possession of a particular spot, and within its limits make their nest, 

 placing it indifferently in the most diverse situations. The little structure is formed of twigs, roots, 

 and grass, hay, leaves, and a great variety of similar materials, and lined with wool, hair, or other 

 equally elastic substances. The first brood is laid in April, and consists of from six to eight eggs 



