2] 6 
MOTACILLIM. 
continuance at the end of January, 1838 , a note reminds me of 
fifteen seen together at an oozy place, close to the town of Belfast, 
daily frequented by the species throughout winter ; a grey wag- 
tail, and a number of titlarks, being also of the party. 
Towards the end of January, the song of the wagtail is fre- 
quently heard in the north, and occasionally so late as October : 
it sometimes sings when on wing. The situations generally 
known to me as selected for its nest, were on the ground beneath 
piles of loosely heaped stones, the eggs four in number, and as 
described by Mr. Selby. At Castle Warren (Cork), it is said to be 
generally placed among ivy. A nest which I examined, was 
entirely formed of cow and horse hair, excepting some thread and 
bits of cloth in its foundation. 
Montagu remarks of these birds, that “ as the weather becomes 
severe, they haunt marshes subject to the flow of the tide. In 
such places on the coast we have seen them in abundance, when 
none were to be found inland.” (Orn. Diet.) In the north of Ire- 
land, they are always to be met with in the interior of the country, 
and during the most genial seasons of the year frequent the sea- 
side when the tide has ebbed. I have in some localities observed 
them daily attend upon the flowing tide in autumn, like the dun- 
lin ( Tringa variabilis), and other true shore birds ; and in others, 
when in flocks, confine themselves, like the rock pipit, to the 
fucus-covered stones along the margin of the sea. During the 
breeding season, I have met with them on small and low rocky 
marine islets. They are said to be as common in the island of 
Bathlin,* as on the mainland, and to frequent Tory Island, off 
the north of Donegal.t 
The wagtails are very general favourites. It is interesting to 
observe their confidence in man, which is well shown by their 
closely following and keeping pace with the plough and harrow, 
regardless of the loud calling of the driver to his horses, 
as if knowing that it is not addressed to them. In thus 
feeding, one manner only of taking their prey is resorted 
* Dr. J. D. Marshall. 
t Mr. Hyndman. 
