THE GREY WAGTAIL. 

 Motacilla melanope, Pallas. 

 Plate ii. 



This very graceful bird, though smaller than the Pied Wagtail, has greater 

 length of tail, and its elegant shape and beautifully contrasted colours make it 

 one of the most attractive of the family. 



It is resident in the British Islands, having a partial migration southwards in 

 autumn. It is also not uncommon on high ground in Central and Southern 

 Europe, its most northerly range on the continent being south Sweden. 



During summer the usual haunts of the Grey Wagtail in our islands are the 

 wild and hilly parts of the northern and western counties of England, as well as 

 in Wales ; also over the greater part of Scotland, where it may be found nesting 

 by the sides of rocky burns, often far up among the hills. It is likewise common 

 in Ireland. 



The nest is placed in a hollow under an overhanging rock, or among grass 

 and stones, and is made of grasses, moss, and wool, with a lining of hair. The 

 five or six eggs are greyish-white, spotted with greyish-brown. 



Macgillivray says : " Its flight is rapid and performed in large curves. When 

 alighting it spreads out its tail, displaying the lateral white feathers, which then 

 become very conspicuous, and when standing it vibrates its body continually, so 

 that the tail, which it now and then spreads by a sudden jerk, is always in motion. 

 ... Its food consists of insects of various kinds, which it usually picks up from 

 the ground, although it often performs a short aerial excursion in pursuit of them." 



Its sharp and clear note somewhat resembles that of the Pied Wagtail. 



The female is duller in colour than the male, and has little or no black on the 

 throat, both sexes being much alike in winter. 



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