OF XOETHUMEEKLAN^D AND DUEHAM. 61 



Grey-headed Wagtail breeds regularly in this neighbourhood, 

 and may hare done so for many years, haying been mistaken 

 for the Yellow Wagtail, B. Rayi, which is associated with it on 

 Dunston Haughs, a male of which was shot by iCr. Watson on 

 the same day that he obtained JB.jlava above alluded to. 



The nests are similar to those of B. Rayi, and are placed in a 

 hollow amidst the grass. The nest plumage resembles that of 

 the Yellow Wagtail ; but the grey tints are mu.ch colder, and 

 there is scarcely a perceptible tinge of yellow on the under parts 

 or elsewhere, as is the case with those of B. BaijL 



57. Eay's Wagtail. E. Eayi, Bonaparte. 

 MotacUlaflara, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, I., 185. 



„ Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 418. 



Eor a few years this was rather a common species in the dis- 

 trict ; but of late it has become somewhat less plentiful. It is a 

 spring-and-autumn migrant, and breeds in both coimties. 



This species shoiild, perhaps, be considered a race of B. flava. 

 And indeed I am cpite disposed to agree with Degland and Gerbe, 

 who state (Ornith. Etirop., p. 378) that ''the B.JlarahiiS several 

 local varieties which some authors have wrongly considered as 

 distinct species. These varieties," they state, "maybe reduced 

 to the three following, namely, the B. Rayi, the B. cinereoca- 

 pilJa, and the B. melanoceplialay The Baron De Selys-Long- 

 camps also believes that B. mvlanocepliala and B. cinereocapilla 

 are both races of the B. Rayi. 



The nest plumage of B. Rayi, and particularly that of B. fara, 

 bears a strong resemblance to that of the Pipits. 



58. MOTACILLA, Linnants. 



58. Pied Wagtail. M. Yaekellii, Gould. 



Motaeilla YayreJlii, Bewick, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 1847, 1., 182. 

 Yarrell, Hist. Brit. Birds, Ed. 2, I., 395. 



A common resident species, breeding in both counties. Only 

 a few remain through the winter, the greater number migrate. 



