72 THE BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL. 



in the reed-beds in swarms, before taking their 

 long journey to Western Africa. 



The Blue-headed Wagtail, although, as we have 

 already said, it sometimes arrives along with the 

 Yellow Wagtail in England, is, as a rule, a some- 

 what late arrival on the continent of Europe, and 

 its eggs are not found till the end of May or 

 June, at a time when our Yellow Wagtail has 

 already reared its iirst brood. Its habits are very 

 similar to those of the latter bird, and it is equally 

 fond of accompanying cattle ; but in Hungary I 

 found it in the vicinity of the swamps, near the 

 Neusiedler Lake^ in company with the Blue- 

 throats, and evidently nesting. Mr. Seebohm 

 also notices that it is partial to swamps, and 

 frequents wet grass-lands. He says: — "The song 

 of this bird like that of its congeners, is scarcely 

 more than a musical twitter. Its common call- 

 note is a musical " chit-up," similar to those of 

 the Yellow Wagtail, but certainly shriller than 

 that of the Pied Wagtail. It has also a pro- 

 longed plaintive double note, occasionally heard 

 when the bird is perched. Every meadow in 

 Holland abounds with these charming little birds, 

 running along the banks of the dykes or among 



