204 
MOTA€ILLID;E. 
INSESSORES. MOTACILLIDM. 
DENTIROSTRES. 
PLATE LXXXV. 
PIED WAGTAIL. 
Motacilla lotor. (^Rennie.) 
Of this elegant and pleasing group, four species only were, 
until lately, considered as British; three of these are com¬ 
mon and well known, and the fourth so scarce as only to be 
looked upon as a straggler, or visitor of rare occurrence. 
Recently a fifth species has been added to the list, of which 
we shall speak hereafter. 
The species, at present under consideration, is the most 
common and generally dilFused of all, and everywhere to be 
found in localities of an open character, where meadow land 
prevails, or where wide heaths and open moors extend, espe¬ 
cially in the vicinity of water; they principally delight in 
spots where the shortness of the herbage enables them to run 
with facility. The pleasure these birds take in close kept 
herbage may be observed whenever a lawn is freshly mown; 
immediately these pretty creatures are seen skimming over 
the hedge, or boundary, and alighting upon its level sur¬ 
face, where they run along, with steps so rapid that the eye 
cannot follow their quick succession ; pecking at intervals with 
lively gaiety, and constantly moving their long and slender 
tails ; if disturbed, they spring up with a shrill and delicate 
cry, and bounding along to a little distance, with an undu¬ 
lating motion, presently alight again. They are also very fond 
of the pebbly banks of rivers, along which they seek their 
