GREY WAGTAIL. 
167 
I NS ESS O RES. 
DENT I ROST RES. 
MOT AC ILIA DJE, 
GREY WAGTAIL. 
Motacilla boarula. 
PLATE XLII. FIG. I. 
The nest of the Grey Wagtail may he found in most 
of the situations chosen by the pied wagtail; in an old 
wall or bridge near a stream of water, hut is more fre¬ 
quently met with upon the ground than that of the pied 
species. In its materials it is also nearly similar to the 
last, being composed of dry grass and roots, with some¬ 
times a little moss or wool, and lined with hair. 
The Grey Wagtail is, comparatively, a rare bird, and 
is chiefly confined to the north of England during the 
breeding-season. I have taken its nest and eggs in West¬ 
moreland ; from Mr. ITeysham, of Carlisle, I have others ; 
and also—together with a nest beautifully lined with 
white hair only—from Mr. Leyland, of Halifax, who 
meets with them in his own neighbourhood every year. 
This beautiful bird is very abundant in Madeira; I 
used to meet with it everywhere upon the margin of the 
numerous levadas, or water-courses, by which the country 
is intersected for the irrigation of the vineyards. 
The eggs of this species are usually very slightly 
coloured, but are sometimes much darker than the Plate. 
They are usually four or five in number, but occasionally 
extend to six. 
