2go IWSSKI.I.S BOOK OF lilRDS. 



Wagtail ; it consists of two notes, repeated in succession, the second of which is one whole tone 

 lower than the other.'' 



THE VELVET-HEADED OR SHEEP WAGTAIL. 



The Velvet-headed or Sheep Wagtail (Budytcs mehmoccphalus) is of a rich black upon the 

 brow, top of the head, and region of the eye ; the entire mantle is olive-colour, shaded with green ; 

 the under side is bright sulphur-yellow ; the wings and centre tail-feathers are black, with light edges ; 

 and the wing-covers brownish black, bordered with white. The female is of an olive-green above and 

 pale greyish yellow on the under side ; the region of the ear is black. A remarkable varietv 

 inhabiting Great Britain is yellowish green on the top of the head and nape, but the rest of its 

 plumage resembles that of the above-mentioned species. Both birds are from six to six and a half 

 inches long, and from nine to ten broad ; the wing measures from two inches and five-sixths to three 

 inches and a quarter, and the tail two inches. 



The Sheep Wagtails appear in Europe about May, and leave again in August or September. 

 During the breeding season they usually frequent marshy districts, and the immediate vicinity of 

 water, but at other times pass almost the entire day in pasture lands, near flocks of sheep or herds of 

 cattle. Host members of this family breed in Greece and North Africa, but some few in the 

 northern parts of Europe. The flight of all is light, and often remarkably rapid ; they generally 

 hover before alighting, or sink suddenly and directly earthward, with wings completely closed. Their 

 song consists - of a few insignificant piping notes. Although of a social temperament, they display 

 during the breeding season a most quarrelsome and pugnacious disposition, pursuing and giving battle 

 to every small bird that ventures to approach their dwelling-place. The nest is concealed Jimong 

 grass, corn, or water plants, and is usually made in a slight hollow in the ground ; in form it resembles 

 that of a Lark or Pipit ; the walls are loosely constructed with fine roots, grass, dry leaves, and moss, 

 and the interior lined with wool, horsehair, and feathers. The eggs, from four to six in number, have 

 delicate shells, of a yellowish, reddish, or greyish hue, veined, spotted, and clouded with brown, 

 yellow, violet, and grey. But one brood is produced in the year; the female alone undertakes the 

 duty of incubation, and hatches the nestlings in about three days. Both parents exhibit the utmost 

 anxiety about the safety of their little ones, and frequently betray their retreat by the cries of alarm 

 which they utter on the approach of a stranger. Young and old remain together until they start forth 

 on their winter excursions. 



Jerdon is of opinion that from the description of B. mdanocephalus of Southern Europe, there is 

 little doubt that it is identical with the Indian bird, which thus appears also to inhabit Northern 

 Africa, South-eastern Europe, and Western Africa. " In India this Wagtail comes in towards the 

 end of September, and does not quit the north of India till the end of April or beginning of May. 

 It is ■exceedingly abundant in every part of India, usually assembling in considerable flocks and 

 feeding among cattle, picking up the insects disturbed by their feet while grazing. These birds also 

 frequent damp meadow ground near rivers or tanks, grain fields, where they may be often put up with 

 the so-called Ortolan {Calandrella brachydadyhi) during the heat of the day, and, late in the season, 

 they may always be seen taking advantage of any shade — a tree, stone, small clump or paling, to 

 shelter them from the mid-day heat. Now and then a few may be seen about houses in gardens and 

 roads, occasionally even perching on a housetop or paling, but very rarely on trees. Many are 

 snared at Calcutta and elsewhere to be served up as Ortolan." 



According to our own observations by far the greater number of these Wagtails pass the winter 

 in Central Africa, and we have also seen them constantly in Egypt at that season, wandering about 

 the pastures with the cattle, and even accompanying them to their drinking-places. 



