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COMMON WAGTAIL., 



{Motacilla Alba.) 



When walking along a creek or small stream you 

 are sure to see a small bird of a bluish gray or drab 

 color above and white below, with long legs and bill; 

 this is the Wagtail or Water Thrush. They run or 

 walk along the banks of streams and skim over the 

 water in pursuit of insects and aquatic grubs. They 

 may often be seen running their slender bills through 

 the mud to disclose their food. Their note is a sort of 

 a weak piping or whistle. These birds disappear in 

 autumn, but occasionally some are seen on nice warm 

 winter days. They make their nests under old bridges 

 or in holes along the bank, composed of grass, roots 

 and sticks. Eggs rather small, white or cream color, 

 freckled with light brown spots, four to six in number. 



GOLD-PINCH OR YELLOW BIRD, 



{Dendroeca Aestiva.) 



This member of the warbler family is a gay little 

 fellow. He arrives late in spring, or early summer, 

 and departs for southern climates in autumn. This 

 bird has a beautiful song, nearly equal to that of the 

 canary. Its plumage is a bright yellow, except the 

 wings and tail, which are jetty black ; with a few white 

 stripes or marks on the wings. It is very fond of the 

 thistle, dandelion and salad seeds, and may be seen in 

 little, flocks around them. Nests are very finely made, 

 and lined with thistle down. Four white eggs, spotted 

 brown and lilac. 



