216 MOTACILLIDiE. 



continuance at the end of January, 1838, a note reminds me of 

 fifteen seen together at an oozy place, close to the town of Belfast, 

 daily frequented by the species throughout winter ; a grey wag- 

 tail, and a number of titlarks, being also of the party. 



Towards the end of January, the song of the wagtail is fre- 

 quently heard in the north, and occasionally so late as October : 

 it sometimes sings when on wing. The situations generally 

 known to me as selected for its nest, were on the ground beneatli 

 piles of loosely heaped stones, the eggs four in number, and as 

 described by Mr. Selby. At Castle Warren (Cork), it is said to be 

 generally placed among ivy. A nest which I examined, was 

 entirely formed of cow and horse hair, excepting some thread and 

 bits of cloth in its foundation. 



Montagu remarks of these birds, that " as the weather becomes 

 severe, they haunt marshes subject to the flow of the tide. In 

 such places on the coast we have seen them in abundance, when 

 none were to be found inland." (Orn. Diet.) In the north of Ire- 

 land, they are always to be met with in the interior of the country, 

 and during the most genial seasons of the year frequent the sea- 

 side when the tide has ebbed. I have in some localities observed 

 them daily attend upon the flowing tide in autumn, like the dun- 

 lin [Tringa variabilis), and other true shore birds ; and in others, 

 when in flocks, confine themselves, like the rock pipit, to the 

 fucus-covered stones along the margin of the sea. During the 

 breeding season, I have met with them on small and low rocky 

 marine islets. They are said to be as common in the island of 

 Bathlm,* as on the mainland, and to frequent Tory Island, off 

 the north of Donegal.t 



The wagtails are very general favourites. It is interesting to 

 observe their confidence in man, which is well shown by their 

 closely following and keeping pace with the plough and harrow, 

 regardless of the load calling of the driver to his horses, 

 as if knowing that it is not addressed to them. In thus 

 feeding, one manner only of taking their prey is resorted 



* Dr. J. D. Marshall. f Mr. Hyndman. 



