In the Neighbourhood of Salisbury. 



207 



or less abundant^ the other two much rarer, but which doubtless 

 frequently occur without being noticed. 



MotaciUa Lotor. " The Pied Wagtail." This is by far the com- 

 monest of all the species. One for several years has built in the 

 same spot in my garden, every year, always rearing two broods in 

 the season. The nest of this bird, also, is much used by the 

 Cuckoo. 



MotaciUa alba. " The White Wagtail." A much rarer bird 

 amongst us, and not easily to be distinguished in its winter plumage 

 from the last. Hart tells me he saw a nice pair of these birds near 

 Christchurch, in May, 1876, but not having his gun at the time he 

 could not secure them, and he has also a beautiful specimen in his 

 collection — a cock bird in summer plumage — which was killed in 

 the neighbourhood of Christchurch not long since. This is the only 

 notice I have been able to gather about them. 



MotaciUa Boarula. " The Grey Wagtail." Frequent with us in 

 this parish in the winter, but I have never known it breed with us, 

 and have never seen it with the characteristic black throat of its 

 summer garb. Mr. Hart, however, showed me one he killed in 

 1875, with the black throat well developed, and in very good summer 

 plumage ; this was early in October, as well as another which was 

 brought in on February 20th, 1877. It is one of the most elegant 

 of the Wagtails, and with the bright yellow of the under feathering 

 and the lower tail-coverts is a very pretty bird as well. 



MotaciUa Rayi. " Ray^s Wagtail." Quite common with us 

 during the summer, roosting in the withy-beds, and breeding amongst 

 us freely. A fine plumaged cock bird of this species may be con- 

 sidered one of our very handsomest birds, no other bird eclipsing, if 

 equalling, the bright golden colour of its breast and under plumage. 



MotaciUa Flava. " The Blue Headed Wagtail." We come now 

 to a species which I cannot say I feel quite certain about. In some 

 states of plumage it is very difficult to distinguish from the last- 

 named species. I believe I have seen it in our water-meadows, and 

 on one occasion felt certain about it, but I had no means of securing 

 it, to decide the point. Mr. Norwood assures me he saw a pair of 

 them in 1870, near the South Western Station, and King, of 



