THE GREY WAGTAIL Il3 



party has been wounded by a discharge from a gun, another has 

 flown down as if to aid it, or sympathize with it. Advantage is 

 taken of this habit by bird-catchers in France. It is the custom to 

 tie Wagtails by their feet to the clap nets, and make them struggle 

 violently and utter cries of pain when a flight of the same kind of 

 birds is seen approaching ; these stop their flight, and alighting are 

 caught in large numbers for the spit, their flesh, it is said, being 

 very delicate. They share, too, with Swallows the praise of being 

 among the first to announce to other birds the approach of a Hawk, 

 and join with them in mobbing and driving it away. 



About the middle of AprU, the Pied WagtaU begins to buUd its 

 nest. This is usually placed in a hole in a bank or hedge, among 

 stones, or in the hollow of a tree ; it is composed of dry grass and 

 withered leaves, mixed with moss, and lined with wool, hair, and a 

 few feathers. It is a compact and soUd structure, capable of pro- 

 tecting the eggs and young from the damp soU, but is not generally 

 concealed with much art ; and hence perhaps it is frequently selected 

 by the Cuckoo, to lay an egg in. 



Towards autumn. Pied Wagtails for the most part migrate south- 

 wards. In the midland counties they may be often observed in 

 large companies, in October, halting for a few days wherever food 

 is abundant, and then suddenly disappearing ; after which only a 

 few stragglers are seen until the spring. They return north^^'ards 

 about the beginning of March. In the extreme south of England 

 they are numerous all the year round ; but as many instances have 

 occurred of their alighting on a ship at sea, it is probable that the 

 majority migrate to some southern climate, where the ponds do not 

 freeze and gnats gambol at Christmas. 



THE GREY WAGTAIL 



MOTACILLA MELAN6pE 



Summer — head and back bluish grey ; a pale streak above the eyes ; throat 

 black ; under parts bright yellow ; tail very long. Winter — chin and 

 throat whitish, passing into yellow. Length seven inches and three- 

 quarters. Eggs bluish white, speckled with dark grey. 



Grey Wagtail is not a very happy name for this bird, as the bright 

 yellow of its neck and breast are far more conspicuous than the 

 more sober grey of the head and back ; yet, as there are other 

 claimants for the more appropriate names ' Yellow ', and ' Grey- 

 headed ', the young observer must be cautious while reading the 

 descriptions of the several members of the family, or he may 

 possibly faU into error. The Grey Wagtail is among the most 

 elegant and graceful of British birds, and in delicacy of colouring 

 is surpassed by few. Its habits are much the same as those of the 

 Pied Wagtail, but it is even lighter and more active in its move- 



B,B. I 



