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during the most part of the day wrought at the limestone, which they occasionally blew up with 
powder,—and of another which was built below the strike-board at a colliery; and although the 
hutches filled with coals struck against the strike-board every time they were brought up to the 
top of the pit, the Wagtails brought their young to maturity without showing signs of being 
disturbed. This careful observer gives some excellent notes on the habits of this species, from 
which I extract the following:—‘“ The ordinary note of this species is a sharp cheep. When 
alarmed or otherwise agitated, it flies about in a wavering manner, uttering a repetition of this 
note, and alarming the small birds in the neighbourhood. In sunny weather, especially in the 
mornings, it may be heard singing a pleasant, mellow, and modulated little song. Its flight is 
light, buoyant, and undulated; it propels itself by a repetition of smart flaps, ascends in a 
curved line, then ceases for a moment, descends in a curve, repeats the motion of its wings, and 
thus proceeds as if by starts, and with great velocity. Like many other birds it is not fond of 
flying down the wind, but prefers an oblique course. In its habits it is quite terrestrial; at 
least I have never seen it search for food on trees, bushes, or even herbaceous plants, although 
it not unfrequently perches on a hedge or bush when disturbed in the breeding-season. It is 
curious to observe this species pursuing its prey in different localities. Thus, if you watch it for 
some time when it has taken its station among stones or fragments of rock, you cannot fail to 
be pleased with the activity and dexterity which it displays. There it stands on the top of a 
stone, quietly vibrating its tail, as if poising itself. An insect flies near, when it starts off, 
flutters a moment in the air, seizes its prey, and settles on another stone, spreading and vibrating 
its tail. Presently it makes another sally, flutters about for a while, seizes two or three insects, 
glides over the ground, curving to either side, and again takes its stand on a pinnacle. Again, 
you perceive several Wagtails flying in a wavering and buoyant manner over the rushes that 
skirt a large pool. It is a calm, bright evening; the Coots are swimming about among the reeds 
and horsetails, uttering now and then their short, loud trumpet-like cry, and the White-rumped 
Swallows are glancing along, now dipping lightly into the water to seize a fly, then darting here 
and there amongst the tiny insects that sport over the rank weeds. A Wagtail tries an excursion 
over the water; and although its flight does not equal that of the Swallow in elegance or velocity, 
it yet performs its part with considerable grace, flutters here a while, seizing a few insects, 
sweeps away in a curve, as if to acquire sufficient speed to keep it up without fluttering, turns 
suddenly, then shoots forth in a straight line—and thus continues for several minutes, until at 
length, fatigued, it betakes itself to the top of a stone wail, where it rests a little, and then 
commences a new excursion. Not unfrequently it may be seen running along the roof of a 
house in pursuit of insects, which it seizes in the manner of the Flycatcher or Redstart. Often 
also it is to be found among rocks; and it is not uncommon in the streets of country villages, 
where it searches for insects chiefly along the gutters.” 
I follow Professor Newton in using the specific title of Jugubris instead of yarrelli for the 
present species, as there can be no doubt that the bird first described by Temminck under that 
name is our British Wagtail; and Vieillot almost simultaneously (Encyclop. Méthod. 11. p. 404) 
used the name in the same sense. In 1835 Temminck (Man. d’Orn. ed. 2, iil. p. 175) substituted 
for his original descriptions those of a species from Japan, and, though made aware of the 
