THE SINGING BIRDS. 287 



extremely quarrelsome, and live in a state of constant warfare with such of the northern species as 

 take up their winter quarters in their vicinity. The nests which we found were always situated in 

 holes or clefts in the rocks. 



THE MOUNTAIN WAGTAIL. 



The Mountain Wagtail (Calobates sulphured) represents a group of Wagtails recognisable by 

 their comparatively short wings, long tail, and delicate beak ; the sexes also differ in the coloration 

 of their plumage. During the spring the male is deep grey upon the back and sulphur-yellow on the 

 under side ; the black throat is divided from the grey back by a white line, a similar streak passes 

 above the eyes, and the wing is enlivened by two light grey stripes ; when quite old the females 

 resemble their mates, but the yellow under side is of a paler hue, and the black on the throat less 

 pale ; when young, the females have only a white or dingy grey spot on the throat. The young of 

 both sexes are of a dull ash-grey above and yellowish grey beneath, the throat is greyish black, 

 spotted with blackish grey ; the eye is dark brown, the beak black, and the foot horn-grey. This 

 species is seven inches and two-thirds in length, and its breadth is nine inches and three-quarters; 

 the wing measures three inches and a quarter, and the tail four inches. 



The Mountain Wagtail occupies not only European mountains, but those of Asia and Africa. 

 It is comparatively rare in Northern Europe, but is numerously met with about the lofty peaks of its 

 southern portions. The great extent of country over which this species is found is the more 

 remarkable, because even such Mountain Wagtails as inhabit Central Europe either remain 

 throughout the year in their native haunts, or merely wander for a comparatively short distance 

 in a southerly direction. Bolle tells us that they are commonly seen in the Canary Islands ; and 

 Jerdon informs us that they appear in India in September, leaving again about the first week in May ; 

 this latter statement is worthy of notice from the fact that such as quit Europe at the approach of 

 autumn do not leave us earlier than September, and return before May. The localities to which 

 these birds usually resort are in the vicinity of mountain streamlets and lakes, but they are also 

 frequently seen about meadows or upon house-tops, and in some countries evidently prefer the society 

 of man. Their flight is light, rapid, and often long sustained ; they move upon the ground with the 

 utmost ease, turning their bodies about as they run, much after the fashion of an animated dancer. 

 The tail is held slightly raised, 111 order to prevent it from getting wet, and great care is taken to 

 prevent any part of the plumage from being soiled. So entirely are they without fear of man, that 

 they not only freely venture close to his dwellings, but permit a friendly stranger to approach near to 

 them, without quitting the spot on which they are perched. If, however, they feel that they are 

 pursued, they at once become so timid as to render their capture extremely difficult. Their voice is 

 deceptively like that of the White Wagtail. Two broods are produced within the year, the first in 

 April, the second in July. During the whole period of incubation the demeanour of the male is very 

 restless ;. he flutters hither and thither, flapping with his wings, and perches from time to time upon 

 certain chosen spots, in order to pour out his song of rejoicing ; at this season his vocal performance 

 possesses unusual sweetness. The nest is placed near the water in holes under roots of trees, or 

 amongst stones; it vanes considerably both as to size and the care with which it is constructed; 

 the outer wall is generally formed of roots, leaves, grass, or moss ; upon this is arranged a second 

 layer of somewhat finer materials, and the interior is neatly lined with hair, wool, or vegetable 

 fibres. The eggs, from four to six in number, are of a dark grey or blueish white, veined and spotted 

 with yellow or dark grey. The female usually broods, and exhibits such devotion to her progeny, 

 that, when sitting, force must be employed to remove her from the nest. The young are very 

 carefully nurtured. 



