3 
it has also been met with in Spain. Mr. Howard Saunders obtained a specimen at Seville in 
March 1868; and Colonel Irby remarks that in summer dress it is rare enough in Andalucia, 
but probably escapes unnoticed in winter plumage. Count Salvadori writes (Ucc. d’Ital. p. 121) 
that it is of accidental occurrence in Italy, and has been obtained in Liguria and near Venice. 
In the Turin Museum is a specimen procured in Piedmont. Further east than this it does not 
appear to have been met with; but it occurs rarely on the southern side of the Mediterranean, 
being, according to Favier, Colonel Irby says, the rarest of the Wagtails near Tangier, where it 
is found at the same times and places as Motacilla alba. Loche (Expl. Alg. Ois. ii. p. 5) 
refers to a Wagtail under the name of Motacilla algira, Bp., which may possibly be the present 
species—though, as he lays special stress on the large amount of white on the wings, it is equally 
probable that it may be Wotacilla vidua, Sund. 
The Pied Wagtail, or Dishwasher as it is very frequently called, affects damp localities in 
preference to the more elevated dry places, and is most frequently to be met with on the margins 
of streams, ponds, near ditches, or in damp meadows, especially such places where cattle are 
pasturing; for, like its allies, it is fond of watching for the insects that are disturbed as the 
cattle move about grazing or picking amongst the herbage. It may frequently be seen wading 
in shallow streams or pools in search of worms or insects, or stepping quickly about on the mud 
or soft sand, carefully holding up its tail to prevent it from being soiled. It walks about with 
the greatest ease and grace, sometimes running swiftly after an insect, using its wings as it 
dashes at and catches it, sometimes walking daintily along; or flying a short distance it perches 
on a stone or some elevated perch, and vibrates its body and tail, uttering its shrill twittering 
note as it flies off again to recommence its search after food. It may not unfrequently be seen 
picking amongst the old cow-dung in the pastures, where it finds larvee of various sorts, or 
running about close to the cattle and seizing the gnats or flies. It is extremely tame and 
familiar, and will allow itself to be approached within a few yards without showing any sign 
of fear, and is therefore easy to shoot. As it feeds entirely on insects of various descriptions, it 
is an eminently useful and harmless bird, and should be protected from molestation. With us 
in England it is a resident, but in the winter season it appears to be more numerous in the 
southern than in the northern portions of Great Britain. At this season it is often seen about 
in the fields; and when ploughing is going on, it will follow closely after the ploughman in order 
to pick up the worms and larve exposed to view. 
Late in March or early in April they have paired and commence the ‘serious business of 
nidification. ‘The nest is placed in a convenient hole in a wall, in a bank, or stone heap, or, 
where I have not unfrequently found it, in a faggot stack. The nest is constructed of dried 
grass-stems, moss, or a few fine roots, and is tolerably well lined with hair, wool, or feathers, 
Usually it is somewhat heavily built, and scarcely with so much care as that of most of its 
allies. ‘The eggs, generally five or six in number, are greyish white or French white, closely 
dotted all over the surface of the shell with greyish brown, and are not, so far as I can see, 
judging from the series in my own collection, distinguishable from the eggs of Motacilla alba. 
Not unfrequently the nest is built in a curious and, one would almost think, unsuitable locality. 
Macgillivray speaks of one built in an old wall in a quarry, within a few yards of four men who 
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