BRITISH BIRDS. 
187 
OF THE WAGTAIL. 
The different fpecies of this kind are few, and 
thefe are chiefly confined to the continent of Eu- 
rope, where they are very numerous. They are 
eafily diftinguilhed by their brifk and lively mo- 
tions, as well as by the great length of their tails, 
which they jerk up and down incelTantly—from 
whence they derive their name.* They do not 
hop, but run along the ground very nimbly, after 
flies and other infects, on which they feed s They 
likewife feed on fmall worms, in fearch of which 
they are frequently feen to flutter round the huf- 
bandman whilft at his plough, and follow the flocks 
in fearch of the flies which generally furround 
them. They frequent the fides of pools, and pick 
up the infe&s which fvvarm on the furface. They 
feldom perch ; their flight is weak and undulating, 
and during which they make a twittering noife. 
# In almoft all languages the name of this bird is defcriptive 
of its peculiar habits. In Latin, Motacilla ; in French, Mot» 
teux, La Lavandiere, or Waflier ; in England, they are fome- 
times called Walhers, from their peculiar motion ; in German*, 
Brook-fliits ; in Italian, Shake-tail, &c e 
