40 THE EIKDS OF DEVON. 



Grey Wagtail. 2Iotacilla mekmope, Pall. 



Resident and common. Breeds. 



Eemaining -with lis all the year, and nesting commonly in all parts of 

 the south-western district, though certainly most numerous on the low 

 lands during the winter months, Avheu it appears by every pond, ditch, 

 and stream, this very graceful species may be considered one of our cha- 

 racteristic "West-Country birds. It is particularly numerous on moor- 

 land-streams, like the Exe and Earle, and by the side of the countless 

 rills which merge from Dartmoor into the beautiful rivers watering the 

 north and south of the county. It thus prefers the same country as the 

 "Water-Ouzel, aud where that bird is resident and common there also the 

 Grey Wagtail makes its summer home. In North Devon we have found it 

 remaining throughout the year in the valleys, and not leaving them for 

 higher grounds in the spring. On the picturesque liarle above Dulverton 

 it is so abundant that the angler will observe it on almost every rock in 

 the stream, and its lively and elegant motions as it Hits lightly before him 

 from stone to stone give an additional animation to the scene. AVe have 

 plied our trout-rod by almost every one of the Devonshire streams, and 

 have always been glad to welcome this beautiful Wagtail, which may well 

 be a favourite with the angler, as its presence lends an extra charm to his 

 pursuit. In its habits the Grey "Wagtail is the most aquatic of the Wag- 

 tails, keeping close to running streams, from which it seldom strays; 

 feeding upon minute water-insects, sometimes chasing the ej^hemeridaj on 

 wing, sometimes to be seen running over the broad leaves of half-submerged 

 Avater-plauts in search of small mollusks and beetles. We have found the 

 edge of some tiny waterfall to be a very favourite situation ior its nest. 

 Mr. J. Gatcombe often found it ijlaced under the arch of a biidge. 



Tbere is a considerable iramigration in August and September, -when it is sometimes 

 very numerous at Exmouili and all along the soutb coast f<<r scime weeks. It is remark- 

 able' tbat ^Montagu never met wiili this species in summer, but Dr. Tucker iound it 

 breeding upon ihe borders of Dartmoor, not far from Ashbiirton, in the sunnner of Ib'US 

 (Orn. Diet., Suppl.). Mr. Gosling, of Leigham, informed Dr. E. Aloore that be bad 

 sometimes found the nest. Dellamy thought it rarely remained to breed, considering 

 it merely a winter visitor, arriving in September and remaining until the end of March 

 or the first week in April, frequenting river-bank.s, spring-heads, and the sea-coast 

 (Nat. Hist. S. Devon, pp. 2(1.'), 873). A female was caught by a boy on her nest con- 

 taining five egg.s, April :.'r)th, 1871, nearTotnes(J. II. (Jr., Zool. 1871, p. 2(>75')- Young 

 birds were seen flying about on the Dartmoor trout-streams and feeding like the old 

 ones, May 22nd, 1873 (J. G., iti IHf.). In 1884 a pair reared two broods, building their 

 nest in a niche in the wall of the town reservoir at Kingsbridge. They have bred 

 there regularly each year since then up to 18'JI', when they were ousted by a pair of 

 Pied "Wagtails. In the summer of 1^(55 a jiair bred at Sliindle Mills, in a small hole 

 in the wall of the mill, inside the overshot wheel, so that the birds bad to pass in and 

 out through the revolving wheel (E. A. S. E. and E. P. N., MS. Notes). Mr. Gatcombe 

 saw some building by the side of tiiC river Lydd, near Lifton Down (Zool. 1874, 

 p. 422()). Mr. Cecil Smith has noticed breeding birds about the ^A'aters-meet Valley, 

 on file E:ist Lynn (Zool. 188.5. p. 4). The nest is frequently found near Exeter, 

 Honiton, Barnstaple, &c. The black throat is assumed in February, and is retained 

 until late iu September. 



