764 Birds, 



Note on Wagtails. The pied and grey wagtails (Motacilla Yarrellii and Boarula) 

 are summer visitants in tins neighbourhood, appearing generally in the end of March, 

 or beginning of April, and quitting us at the approach of winter. They prefer the 

 vicinity of water, in general, as their summer quarters, and are seldom to be found far 

 from river sides ; but both species sometimes breed in quarries, and such like places, 

 at a distance from any stream or pool. They are early breeders, and must, I think, 

 often produce two broods, as I have seen young birds in full plumage in the month of 

 May. Living wholly on insect food, they are harmless, as well as interesting birds, 

 and often become very familiar. They have a remarkable habit of frequenting roofs 

 of houses, where they seem to obtain a supply of their favourite food. They gene- 

 rally capture their prey by running, but oftentimes make use of their wings to pursue 

 an insect which happens to pass them, or which may have eluded their grasp when on 

 foot. The pied wagtail roosts on trees, and the grey one sometimes perches, espe- 

 cially when alarmed. I remember one evening disturbing a large party of the former, 

 which had taken up their night's quarters on some alders, by the side of a small pool, 

 formed by the backwater of the Teviot. The flight of both species, particularly of 

 the grey one, is exceedingly elegant and graceful, consisting of a series of risings and 

 fallings of considerable length. M'Gillivray praises the beauty of the flight of 

 the yellow wagtail (Budytes Rayi), but as far as my experience goes, I am inclined to 

 give the palm to the grey species. The partial migrations of the pied and grey wag- 

 tails in this county have not, I think, been well ascertained as yet. The former is 

 stated to be permanently resident in some parts of the county, while in others it is 

 said to be migratory, disappearing in winter, and returning in spring, and the latter is 

 said to be a winter visitant in the south of England, where it is called the " winter 

 wagtail," while in other parts, as in East Lothian, it remains the winter. My own 

 opinion is, that there is a migration of both species southward in autumn, and again 

 northward in spring, but that straggling individuals occasionally spend the winter in 

 their summer haunts. For the last two or three winters I have observed stray birds 

 make their appearance at irregular intervals, frequenting house-tops and sinks, but I 

 have never been able to find any by river-sides, or in their summer quarters. — 

 Archibald Jerdon ; Bonjedward, September 28, 1844. 



Anecdote of the singular death of tivo Canary Birds. — The singular and sudden death 

 of two little pet canary birds, having caused much regret to their kind and affectionate 

 mistress, has induced me to communicate to you an account of it, in order that some 

 of your numerous correspondents may, perhaps, be enabled to point out the cause, 

 and afford a remedy, in case a similar attack should befall other birds under like cir- 

 cumstances. The little birds were named Charley and Josephine, and were brother 

 and sister, the offspring of their fortunate parents, who, as in the beautiful story told 

 by Mrs. Trimmer of the robins, enjoyed the happiness of a kind protector; well 

 skilled in their various wants, she supplied them with every thing requisite for their 

 domestic and cheerful life. At nesting time, their cage was replenished with build- 

 ing materials, and the result was, two, three, and sometimes four and five broods 

 annually, with frequently as many young ones at each brood, though on some occa- 

 sions late in the season, one young bird only rewarded the parents' care, and their 

 mistress' friendly anxiety. To give names to these various pets was a task requiring 

 some ingenuity ; but the Italian Opera, ever fertile in change, afforded an ample 

 store of distinguished names, after which to call these little feathered songsters. 

 Rubinis, Marios, Malabrans, and Persianis were without number, and occasionally 



