•328 WAGTAIL. 



the outer feathers which are half black half white, divided obliquely ; 

 hind claw very long, and not much curved. 



The female is less bright in colour, especially beneath. This is 

 a common species in England, and seen in moist meadows, and corn 

 fields, in the summer season, migrating wholly, as may be readily 

 granted, since they are not seen here till the departure of the Grey 

 Species, about April.* These two have no doubt been confounded 

 together by more than one author ; for Mr. White, in one place, 

 says, Wagtails, both white, and yellow, remain with us all the 

 winter ;f and in another, Wagtails of all sorts, remain with us all 

 the winter ;£ and again in the Naturalist Calendar, he hints much 

 the same thing. § In the Linn&an Transactions likewise, || they 

 seem not to have been well understood, when it is said, that they are 

 all occasionally seen in the winter, when there is a fine day, or the 

 sun shines bright, &c. 



The fact is, that we have but three distinct species in England — . 

 the first, or White, which is more or less frequent at all times ; the 

 Grey, which is only to be seen from October to April, in the southern 

 parts ; and the Yellow only to be met with in the summer months, 

 departing in September ; especially frequenting pastures and arable 

 land ; is also partial to bean-fields. ** It makes the nest on the 

 ground, ft of bents and fibres of roots, with a lining of hair, and 

 lays four or five pale brown eggs, sprinkled all over with a darker 

 shade; in some very obscurely; and weighing 27 grains. 



Colonel Montagu observes, in his Ornithological Dictionary, that 

 these birds, " appear in considerable flocks in the south of Devon, 

 " in the autumn, in their route of migration, yet it is a rare occur- 

 " rence that any are seen on their return in spring ; and more rare 

 " for them to breed in that part. 



* Dr. Lamb informs us, that he saw at Heckfield, Berks, on the same day, April 26, 

 a male Yellow Wagtail, and a Grey one ; but this we believe to be a rare occurrence. 



t Hist. Selb. p. 38. + Id. p. 99. § See pp. 8. & 12. |j Vol. i. 126. 



** Orn. Diet. ff In holes under fallen trees, and logs. — Frisch. 



