WHITE 
AVAGTAIL. 
MOTACILLA ALBA. 
I have never met with the A\ kite Wagtail during the winter ; and, according to my own observations, those 
that visit the British Islands in the spring are considerably later in making their appearance on our shores 
than the Pied Wagtails that pass the winter on the continent. I cannot record a single instance where 
this species has been observed before the second week in April. During fine weather at that period, these 
birds may commonly be noticed in Sussex, within a short distance of the sea-coast. As a rule, they appear 
to be making their way from west to east, and seldom remain in the locality for any length of time. I have 
watched them seeking for food along the banks round brackish pools, as well as on the muds of Skoreham 
harbour. A few were also occasionally remarked frequenting the salt marshes between Lancing and 
Worthing. Further east I found a single specimen feeding along the muddy shores of a dyke in the 
level near St. Leonards, in the first week in May. When disturbed, the bird took a short flight; but after 
alighting two or three times on the floating weed and searching closely over the surface, it rose in the air 
and made a straight course along the shore towards the east. The water in the dyke was partly salt ; and 
the tangled weed that grew in profusion contained a number of minute shells. I am ignorant whether 
scientific authorities allow that this Wagtail will feed on sucli apparently unpalatable morsels. Though 
the bird was not shot in order to ascertain the fact, I was considerably mistaken if it did not swallow 
several of these small shells. 
During the latter end of April, when passing through the district, I repeatedly noticed several pairs of 
White Wagtails feeding along the shores of the Ness. The birds were not met with further inland than 
the town of Inverness, being most frequently seen about the small drains running down to the water, or 
gathered round any refuse thrown out on the shores. A few Pied Wagtails also resort to the same spots, and 
a pair or two often intermingle as they chase insects round the puddles or run rapidly along the stony 
bed of the river. The difference between the two species Avas most striking when closely examined side 
by side, the extra size and length of Motacilla alba being particularly conspicuous. 
Though I never detected the nest or even came to the conclusion that the birds were then settled in 
the district, numbers of these Wagtails were met with in the island of Lcavcs, early in May 1877. I did not 
recognize a single specimen, except in the immediate vicinity of dwelling-houses or round the various 
outbuildings and enclosures. A severe gale of wind, Avith hail and rain, from the south-east swept over 
the island on the 6th of May ; shortly after midday the storm moderated, and by 3 p.m. the weather Avas 
bright and mild. During the afternoon I remarked at least five pairs of White Wagtails about the gardens 
and landing-stages round a shooting-lodge on the shores of Loch Shell. On the following day, which was line, 
not a single bird was noticed; and it was not till the 9th that I again observed them, a pair or two remaining 
for several hours in the gardens. On many occasions when watching this species on these islands, I 
Avas particularly struck by their confiding nature — eagerly searching for food and actively chasing insects 
