TROGLODYTID^. — MOTACILLIDJi:. 37 



Exeter, by Mr. Alfred Radford (W. D'U., Zool. 1883, jj. 221). This spe- 

 cimen is now iu the A. M. M. Mr. J. H. Gurney, Jnr., kindly informed 

 us that he saw a specimen in the Museum at Carlsruhe in which the 

 throat and crown of the head were pure black. 



Family TROGLODYTID^. 



Wren. Troglodytes ^arDulus, Koch. 



[Jinty, Cutty, Cuddy Yran (TFesi D.), Kitty Tope, Tidley Tope, Titty 

 Todger, Cracky or Crackil (iV. X*.).] 



Eesident, generally distributed and common. Breeds. 



It commences building its nest very early in the year. On February 

 loth, 185(5, we saw one carrying materials into a hole in a thatch roof 

 near Topsham. We once found a Wren's nest which was almost entirely 

 liued with the small feathers from a Sparrow-Hawk's breast. The 

 Wren is one of the commonest visitants of greenhouses and conservatories, 

 where its presence is highly beneficial and to be encouraged, as it busies 

 itself in the capture of aphides and other small pests of plant-life. In 

 cold rough weather a pair of Wrens have sometimes remained for days in 

 our conservatory, never once, as far as we could tell, venturing outside its 

 welcome shelter. 



Many roost at night during the winter months in holes in the sides of 

 hay-ricks, and we have frequently caught them in such places. There is 

 a considerable immigration commencing in October near Exniouth, and 

 Wrens are most numerous during that month and throughout the winter. 

 A white variety was in the possession of Mr. J. Comyns (E. M., Trans. 

 Plym. Inst. Ib30j. 



Family MOTACILLID^. 

 THE WAGTAILS. 



The AVagtails are a very elegant family of birds, of 

 almost completely terrestrial habits, catching their insect 

 prey by chasing it with rapid steps upon the turf, or else 

 by the side of drains and streams, or even upon the aquatic 

 herbage whose growth in summer covers quiet pools, where 

 the broad leaves of the water-lily will not yield to their 

 dainty tread. Their long and graceful tails bow witli 

 every motion ; they are never still ; and for the most part 

 are bright in their plumage, with gaily contrasted colours. 

 Tliey are all migratory, some of the species only vibitiiig 



