THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. 
221 
the grey wagtails generally keep in pairs ; in autumn only have 
I seen a whole family, and never more together. They may then 
be seen roosting in company at the base of trees or underwood 
overhanging the water. 
Their prey is taken by the different methods described in 
the notice of the pied wagtail. About the head of mountain 
springs, I have frequently observed the attractive M. boa- 
mla , but knew not the object of pursuit in these interest- 
ing spots, until the examination of the stomach of one in 
the month of December, proved it, at least in one instance, 
to have been the minute river limpet, (Ancylus fluviatilis,) of which 
there were many specimens, together with a few fragments of 
stone. Of three others killed in localities of a different nature, 
one contained a small fresh- water shell, Limnaus fossarius ; and the 
others the remains of insects, among which some elytra of Coleop- 
tera were apparent. 
THE YELLOW WAGTAIL. 
Ray's Wagtail. 
Motacitta flava, Will., Ray. 
Can only be announced as a summer visitant to one lo- 
cality ; and as of occasional and rare occurrence 
elsewhere.* 
Mr. Templeton has remarked that it is rare, “ appearing more 
commonly about Lough Neagh than elsewhere," an observation, 
which, though correct, requires explanation to prevent an erroneous 
inference. About the lake generally, it is not common, nor have 
I been able, during frequent visits to various parts of its shores, 
ever to meet with the species, except on one occasion. This was 
on the 3rd of August, 1846, when visiting its limited haunt at 
the north-west extremity of this great sheet of water, about Toome. 
Several were then seen at the side of the river Bann, ad- 
joining Toome bridge ; and on the following day, ten (old 
and young) appeared at the margin of the lake below the 
f It is marked resident and common in the list of the birds of Donegal, published 
in Loudon’s Magazine of Natural History, vol. v. p. 582, but M. boarula, commonly 
called yellow wagtail in Ireland, must be meant. 
