THE PIED WAGTAIL. 107 



round for some seconds with their peculiar 

 undulatory flight, and finally make off for the 

 land in a straight line, often directly in the 

 vessel's course. 



According to the observations of Mr. Knox, 

 the Pied Wagtails which have wintered abroad 

 reach the coast of Sussex about the middle of 

 March, and on fine days may be seen approach- 

 ing the shore, aided by a gentle breeze from 

 the south, their well-known call-note being dis- 

 tinctly audible from the sea long before the 

 birds come in sight. 



The neighbouring fields, where but a short 

 time previously not a bird of the kind was to be 

 seen, are soon tenanted by numbers, and for 

 several days they continue dropping on the 

 beach in small parties. The old males come 

 first, while the females and males of the previous 

 year do not appear until some days later. After 

 resting near the coast for a few days the new 

 comers proceed inland, and any good observer 

 there stationed may perceive how much the 

 numbers of the species increase at this season. 



