34 
British Birds. 
duller in colour than the male, and has the head of the same greenish-yellow 
colour as the back, so that the bright yellow forehead is not visible. The 
winter plumage is also similar, but the under parts are brighter yellow, and 
there is a tinge of saffron colour on the breast ; the eyebrow is well marked 
and of a bright yellow. The breeding range of the Yellow Wagtail is very 
similar to that of our Pied Wagtail, as its principal nesting place is in the British 
Islands, and it is almost entirely a bird of Western Europe. It goes, however, much 
further south for its winter home, wintering in West Africa, while many find their 
way along the east coast of Africa as far as the Zambezi and the Transvaal. As, 
however, there seems to be a second colony of the Yellow Wagtail in Southern 
Russia and Central Asia, it is probable that the birds from this area, choosing the 
The Grey Wagtail. The Blue-headed Wagtail. 
The Yellow Wagtail. 
east coast route, find their way into South-eastern Africa. In habits the present 
species differs considerably from its relatives, being mostly gregarious, except in the 
nesting-season. On their arrival in Great Britain the Yellow Wagtails frequent 
commons and pasture-lands in small parties, and are very fond of feeding in the 
neighbourhood of cattle, running about the feet of the latter and feeding on Hies. 
In the autumn they collect in large numbers in the reed-beds near the shores of our 
south coast, and hundreds roost in these places, before their autumn migration. The 
nest is placed on the ground, generally under some shelter, and is made of grass and 
rootlets, and lined with hair or feathers. The eggs are from four to six in number, 
and vary in colour and markings more than do those of the other species of Wagtails. 
The Blue-headed Wagtail (Motacilla flava). Is of the same size and general 
