PLATE VIII. 
The Water Wagtail, or Dijh-Wajher. 
E need not repeat the obfervation made in the preface to this work, that every piaure in it 
is exaflly copied from original nature. 
Thefe Birds frequent horfe-ponds, and muddy waters, for the purpofe of catching thofe flies 
which hover on the furface in the fummer feafon : but in the winter they feed upon grubs and fpi- 
ders. Their nefts, built in piles of wood, or ftacks of faggots, are compofed of dried roots, and dead 
grafs, and lined with hair. Like moft of our fraall birds they fit fourteen days, and generally lay 
five or fix eggs. So very Ihy are thofe birds, that if a finger be lifted up they are inftantly on the 
wing. They dart at a fly with a fury equal to that of a hawk at his prey. Their motion is amaz- 
ingly rapid : and their wings carry them feveral yards at one ftroke. They fettle upon the ground, 
or barns, and the tops of houfes, but feldom upon trees. They run with great fwiftnefs upon the 
brink of the water after the flies. They are not however much efteemed, nor are they ever caged : 
but it is a bird of ftately deportment. Here it may not be improper to give the etymology of their 
former name. They receive it from this circumflance— that every motion of their body is feconded 
by a quick movement of the tail. 
