THE WHEAT-EAR THE WAGTAIL. 247 



ber. It frequents uninhabited houses and solitary places, in 

 which it utters its plaintive notes. The female of this species 

 sometimes sings. See Mr. Sweet's letter in the Introduction. 



The (Enanthe, Wheat-ear, Fallow-Finch, Fallow-Smich, 

 White-tail, Snorter, or English-Ortolan, is distinguished by its 

 hoary back, rump and base of the tail white ; length six inches 

 and half. The distribution of its colours varies so as to produce 

 several varieties. Found as far north as Greenland, and as far 

 east as India. Visits England in March, and leaves us in Sep- 

 tember. Frequents heaths and warrens ; breeds in rabbit bur- 

 rows and under stones ; eggs from five to eight, pale blue. 

 They grow very fat, and are caught in great numbers in some 

 of our southern countries previously lo their departure ; many 

 are sent to London: when potted by the poulterers, are as much 

 esteemed as ortolans on the continent. This bird sings very 

 prettily. 



The Alba, Wagtail, White-Wagtail, Collared Wagtail, 

 Water. Wagtail, Dish-washer, Wash- Dish, Washerwoman, or Billy- 

 Biter, inhabits England and Europe generally; its predominating 

 colours deep blue, and white; length about seven inches; remains 

 in this country throughout the year, but migrates, nevertheless, 

 from one place to another ; it builds in various situations ; in a 

 heap of stones, in a hole in the wall, or on the top of a pollard 

 tree; eggs four or five, spotted with brown. Three varieties. 

 Sings very prettily in the spring. Characterised, as its name 

 imports, by often wagging its tail, particularly when it drinks. 



The tribe Wagtail includes twenty or more species of this 

 genus, distinguished into pied, cinereous, green, water- wagtail, 

 &c. ; or into Indian, African, &c. from their native habitations. 

 Two other wagtails found in this country should also be named. 

 The Buarula, Grey-Wagtail, or Winter. Wagtail, a very ele- 

 gant species, is above dark cinereous, rump greenish yellow, 

 beneath yellow of various shades ; its plumage varies in the 

 spring. Visits this country the end of September, and quits it 

 in April. It is seven inches and three quarters long. The 



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