214 MOTACILLIDiE. 



THE PIED WAGTAIL. 



Common Wagtail. 



Motacilla Yarrettii, Gould. 

 „ alba. * 



Is common and resident throughout the island. 



We find it in localities of all kinds where water is to be met with, 

 from the iron-bound coast of the ocean and sea-girt isles, to the 

 pettiest streamlet and border of the " green-mantled " pool. The 

 last haunt to be mentioned, though not the least frequented by the 

 bird, is the vicinity of the manure-heap, winch, as well as the greater 

 places alluded to, presents its peculiar flies attracted by the oozing 

 liquid r Tins bird, though said to leave the northern, to winter 

 in the southern, parts of England, is permanently resident in the 

 northern counties of Ireland. One disposition towards a move- 

 ment may however be witnessed, which is their collecting in the 

 autumn in flocks, commonly consisting of about thirty indivi- 

 duals. I have seen them thus at the end of September, at Mas- 

 sareene Park, on the borders of Lough Neagh, and have observed 

 them come to roost upon the reeds [Arundo joJiragmitis) and the 

 adjacent ground, on the banks of the river Lagan, until after the 

 middle of November ; but I am not aware whether the bodies of 

 these birds so congregated ever move southwards. Mr. R. Ball 

 has likewise observed them in flocks about Youghal, in the south 

 of Ireland, during the month of October. 



Dr. Farran of Dublin, favours me with the following evident in- 

 stance of migration : — " Being in the county of Waterford on the 

 16th of September, 1843, I visited Portlaw, the fine power-loom 

 factory belonging to Malcomson and Co., when Mr. Shaw, one of the 

 partners, related the following singular circumstance, which 

 occurred a few days previous to my arrival : — There is in the 

 pond that supplies the water-wheel, a small island, a few yards 

 from the bank, on which about half a dozen sallow-trees are grow- 



* Of British authors prior to 1837. 



