THE BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL. 73 



the grazing cattle, and occasionally perching on 

 the wooden boundary-posts, whence they will 

 suddenly take wing to catch a passing fly. But, 

 perhaps, their beauty is seen to still greater 

 advantage on the marshy banks of the lower 

 Danube, when the brilliant sunshine gilds the 

 deep rich yellow of their breasts, as they sit on 

 the top of a willow or tall thistle, or other rank 

 herbage which flourishes in this semi-tropical 

 climate, displaying the white outside feathers of 

 their quivering tails, as they balance them- 

 selves on their uncertain perch." 



