194 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



present scarcity or abundance I cannot speak. More than a century 

 has passed since the indefatigable Colonel Montagu wrote of the habits 

 of this tiny bird, as observed in Devonshire, and very little can be 

 added to its life-history to-day. Does it migrate ? If so, when and 

 whither? as it is often seen more frequently in the winter than in 

 summer ; and yet I suppose there is no influx from more northern 

 localities, where it is scarce or unknown. As a " resident," the scarcity 

 of food in the colder weather may induce extra activity, and con- 

 sequently it is oftener detected ; but it seems rather curious it should 

 disappear for a number of years, and then be found in the same locality 

 as of old, yet such is the case I am told. — G. B. Cokbin (Eingwood). 



Status of Grey Wagtail. — Your correspondent, Mr. W. H. Parkin 

 (ante, p. 151), asks for the experience of others regarding the Grey Wag- 

 tail. My own experience is that Motacilla raii and M . melanope are both 

 local in their distribution, and that you do not find the two species in 

 large numbers (if at all) in the same district at the same time of year. In 

 the valley of the Chess (Bucks), as also in that part of Bedfordshire with 

 which I am most familiar, the Grey Wagtail is present in considerable 

 numbers in winter. In neither locality have I seen it in the summer, 

 when its place is taken by the Yellow Wagtail. Here, in the valley of the 

 Tay, the Grey Wagtail makes its appearance with great regularity be- 

 tween the 1st and 10th of April, and the local boatmen regard it as a 

 summer migrant. It is now fairly plentiful, and if anything more 

 abundant than it was six years ago. In the valley of the Tamar 

 (Devon) there were a great many Grey Wagtails last autumn, but 

 I have never seen a Yellow one there. A pair nested for many years 

 on the ground in a corner of the verandah of our house, but the hen 

 bird unfortunately got shut into the drawing-room one evening, and 

 was badly frightened by my cat. It deserted its nest, and has never 

 returned. — Mary Duchess of Bedford (Meikleour B.S.O., Perth- 

 shire, N.B.). 



In the April number of ' The Zoologist' (ante, p. 151), Mr. W. H. 

 Parkin writes re the decrease of the Grey Wagtail (Motacilla melanope) 

 in the Shipley district of Yorkshire, and asks for the observations of 

 other North- countrymen on this species. Perhaps Irish information 

 may prove interesting to him as well as some others of your readers. 

 The Grey Wagtail is not a migratory species here, but frequents the 

 same localities all the year round. Of late years these birds appear to 

 be on the increase in this district (Hillsborough, Co. Down). Five 

 years ago I only knew of two pairs in this neighbourhood, but now 

 there are at least six pairs, each pair apparently keeping to its own 



