42 PIED WAGTAIL 
MOTACILLA LUGUBRIS, Temminck. 
PIED WAGTAIL. 
Manx, *Ushag-ureck (M.S. D)=pied bird. (Cf. Se. Gaelic, Bricein.) 
Skibbag-ny-vulten (M.S. D.); Ushag-voltee (Cr.). 
Common as a resident, this familiar bird is probably 
much more abundant as a migrant. Mr. Moffat (Zool., 
1892, p. 147) says: ‘On the 12th September 1891 I saw 
hundreds of Pied Wagtails in immature plumage haunting 
the margin of Castletown Bay; I had seen no such hosts 
of them in Ireland since 1874. It is frequent about our 
yards and enclosures, and in the quieter streets of our 
towns, in winter; and in spring, as noted by Mr. Kermode, 
it is a favourite with farmers, ‘who used to await its 
appearance before beginning to plough. Only a few years 
ago a farmer in Andreas started out to plough and put 
back again because the Wagtail had not come.’ Its eager 
accompaniment of the ploughman, a pretty sight, is com- 
memorated in the lines, likely a fragment, supplied me by 
Mr. J. R. Moore :— 
‘Van ulliag !-vreck cheet geiyrt er 
Craa famman ayns y chree.’ 
(‘The wagtail was coming following after (him), shaking (his) tail in 
the (joy of his) heart.’) 
It is reported at Langness usually in March and 
September, on one occasion a large flock. In 1884, as early 
as 31st August, one hundred birds, which Mr. Clyne took 
to be young, were seen all day. 
In the north-west of England the Pied Wagtail is in 
general a summer visitant, few remaining during winter; 
while in Galloway it is stated to be, as with us, more 
1 In Lonan ‘ulliag’ is said for ‘ushag.’ 
