Periodical 
visitant. 
Haunts. 
Nest, &c. 
Food. 
Distinc- 
tion be- 
tween Grey 
and Yellow 
Wagtail. 
212 PASSERES. MOTACILLA. YELLOW 
Geele Kwikstaart, Sepp. Nederl. Vég. vy. 2. p. 103. 
Yellow Wagtail, Br. Zool. 1. No. 143.—Arct. Zool. 2. p. 396. F.—Wiil. 
(Ang.) p. 238. t. 68.—Edw. t. 258.—Lewin’s Br. Birds, 3. t. 97.—Lath. 
Syn. 4. p. 400. 6.—Jd. Sup. p. 179.—Mont. Ornith. Dict.—Zd. Supp.— 
Pult. Cat. Dorset. p. 8.—Bewick’s Br. Birds, v. 1. t. p. 198. 
Provincial, Spring or Summer Wagtail, Oat-seed Bird. 
This is a migratory species, its appearance in spring being 
usually about the end of March; and as it frequently resorts, 
on its first arrival, to the newly sown lands, it has obtained 
im many districts the provincial name of the Oat-seed Bird. 
It is not so generally diffused as either of the other species, 
but adheres to particular districts, viz. open arable ground, 
and extensive upland sheep pastures. It is not uncommon 
im the western parts of the county of Northumberland, but of 
rare occurrence upon the sea-coast. These birds collect in 
small flocks after the breeding-season, and move southwards 
about the end of August; after remaining there for a short 
time, they leave the kingdom in September, to seek a warmer 
residence for the winter.—The yellow wagtail builds upon the 
ground, forming a nest of dry stalks and root-fibres, lined 
with hair. The eggs are four or five in number, of a pale 
wood-brown, spotted with the same colour of a darker shade. 
In its habits it resembles its congeners, and its usual call is 
not unlike that of the Pied Wagtail, but rather shriller. 
Like them, it feeds upon insects and worms. It appears to 
be subject to the vernal moult, as its colours, during the 
pairing season, are of a much brighter hue than when it leaves 
us in autumn, after having undergone the regular moult; at 
which time the adult and young birds are not be distinguish- 
ed. 
This species differs from the preceding ones, in having the 
hind claw much produced, and nearly straight, in this respect | 
approaching closely to the succeeding genus Anthus. Itwould | 
seem that many authors have confounded this species with — 
the Grey Wagtail, as they have mentioned it as indigenous *. | 
| 
* See Wurte’s Nat. Hist. Selb. p. 38. who says, “ Wagtails, both — 
white and yellow, remain with us all winter.” | 
