ZOOLOGY. 



91 



bilslles ; tongue cleft; toes divided to their origin; 

 claws sharp, those ou the hind toes very long, and 

 nearly strait ; feet formed for rLinning. 



This genus, though not so numerous as some others, is dis- 

 persed over most parts of the known world, many of the 

 kinds possess a fine note ; their colours are of rather a sombre 

 cast, partaking principally of various shades of brown and 

 olive ; they feed on seeds, insects, and worms, some are only 

 to be found on the sea shores, others in retired woods, but 

 the greater part frequent open cuUivated countries; they 

 generally build on the ground ; their motions on foot is by 

 running and walking; not any of the species hop. See 

 J^ritish Ornithology.^ vols. 1, and 2. 



J 3. Motacilla, Wagtail. H/// slender, very soft, slightly 

 notched near the tip ; tongue fringed at the point ; 

 toes three forward and one backward, the middle toe 

 connected to the outer one as far as the first joint; 

 hind-toe and claw very long : feet as in the last genus : 

 ^«/nong. 



This is a lively actire tribe, of familiar habits, and great 

 plegance of form ; the species are not numerous ; and are 

 principally confined to Europe, Asia, and Africa : they 

 mostly resort to the sides of ponds and running streams ; 

 and feed on insects and worms ; they run on the ground in 

 the manner of the Larkgenus^ and derive their name from the 

 pontinued motion of the tails. Three species are natives of 

 Pritain, see British Ornithology^ vol. 1^ 2, 3. 



