MOTACILLIDJ]. 41 



Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail. Motadlla fiam, 



Linn. 



A casual visitor of rare occurrence. 



This, the commou Yellow Wagtail of Central Europe, is an occasioual 

 summer visitant in small numbers to this countrj-, and has often occurred 

 in the south-western district, more numerously in the Land's End portion 

 of Cornwall, pcrhaj^s, than elsewhere. A few have been obtained in 

 South-western Devon, none, as far as we know, in North or East Devon, 

 "while others have occurred at Taunton and at various other places in 

 Somerset. This species is readily distinguished in the summer from the 

 beautiful Yellow AVagtaii sometimes seen on our pastures by its blue cap, 

 white chin, and the white line running over the eyes. Mr. J. Gatcombe 

 found that the white on the throat of this species varied considerably in 

 extent in the various examples of it which came into his hands, some 

 having only a small spot on the chin, -with all below of a brilliant yellow, 

 whilst in others the white extended as far as the breast. " One of the 

 males Avhich I killed is the finest I ever saw " (J. G., in lift.). It has 

 been usually obtained in England in the months of April, May, and June, 

 more rarely in the autumn, and sometimes in pairs. 



According to Bellamy, Mr. Gosling: saw a bird of this species {"Motacilla nrglecta ") 

 accompan_Ting a small ilock of Pied Wagtails between Plymouth and Stoke about 183D 

 (Nat. Hist. S. Devon, p. 80.5, note). A pair was shot by Mr. J. Gatcombe in a marsh 

 at Laira, near Plymouth, on May 1st, 18.50 (Morris, B. Birds, ii. p. 143). He also 

 killed a male on May lUtli, 1851 ( R. A. J., ' Naturalist,' 1851, p. 87) ; and saw a pair 

 close to Plyinouth iu August 1874 (Zool. 1874, \). 4-!29). A male and female were 

 shot by Mr. E. P. NichoUs, May 17th, 1880, at liuish Ley, near lungsbridge; they 

 had evidently just arrived, as they appeared very tired and quiet. They are now in. 

 the collection of Mr. Richard Andrew, Traine House, Modbury (H. N., Zool. 18S0, 

 p. 487 ; R. P. N., MS. Notes). 



Yellow Wagtail. Motadlla raii, Bonap. 



A summer migrant. Breeds rarely. Generally seen singly or in small 

 flocks in April and early in May, and not then ])leritifully, but in autumn 

 it congregates in great numbers on the sea-coast of the south-west part of 

 the county. A few i)airs remain during the summer to breed. A pair 

 breeding at Torpoint, June 4th, 18G0 (T. 11. A. B.). A pair was found breed- 

 ing at Plymouth in 1872 (J. G., Zool. 1872, p. 31GG). Mr. E. W. L. Koss 

 mentions a specimen seen in the Clyst Marshes, June 3rd, 1841, and we 

 have seen it near Topsham in July. It departs in October. 



Montagu never saw one in the brecdiiig-scason in Devonshire. 

 According to him large flocks collect on the Start and other southern 

 promontories of Devonshire about September, and Dr. Tucker constantly 

 observed large flock« about Ashburton at the same season (Orn. Diet., 

 Siippl.). Dr. Edward iloorc mentions that immense Hocks appeared 

 along the south coast on August 15th, 1.S2.S, arid remained about a foilnight 

 feeding on the sea-shore (Trans. I'lym. Inst. 1830, p. '60o). Bellamy 



