670 
BIRD-LIFE. 
which it is met with in the Atlas Ranges and in the 
Abyssinian Alps. It is not found so far to the northward 
as the commoner species, but, on the other hand, is met 
with at a greater elevation, and is hut rarely seen in the 
plains; it is never found far from water, following as it 
always does the sinuosities of the stream where it has 
taken up its abode, and the purer the stream the more it 
is preferred; thus they are most addicted to mountain- 
rivulets, the banks of these brooks abounding in bushes 
and shrubs, amongst the roots of which they select a 
place to build their nest. In localities where the streams 
are frozen over, or during very severe winters, they 
migrate, though not far, as they easily find a suitable 
asylum in the South of Europe. When they do migrate 
they leave us late in the year, and return early in the 
spring, for they are hardy birds and not afraid of cold, so 
long as they can find sufficient nourishment. 
This Wagtail will he allowed by all who are acquainted 
with it to be an extraordinarily pretty and graceful 
creature,—the very gem of the stream. The Yellow 
Wagtail is fond of living in the neighbourhood of man, 
though its conduct is extremely cautious, until it is 
satisfied that it is safe and need fear no ill-treatment at 
his hand; assured of this, perfect confidence is the 
result; where it is preserved it becomes most fearless. 
It runs with rapidity, while every step is graceful; a 
pretty nod accompanies each one; and the long, elegant 
tail is jerked every now and then. If walking in the 
water the same grace is displayed; like a well-bred child, 
it is very careful not to soil its plumage or to wet its 
feathers, and hops with the greatest care from stone to 
stone : its favourite resting-places are large stones, posts, 
branches, &c., in elevated positions. It does not, how- 
