Y E L L O W W A G T A I L.
MOTACILLA RATI.
LARGE numbers of this attractive bird make their appearance on the south coast early in the spring. For
at least a month, from about the second week of April till well on in May, they may be noticed landing on
the shores of Sussex when tho wind is light and the weather favourable. At this season they are to be found
following the plough or scattered over the grass-meadows in the vicinity of the coast as far as a mile or two
inland. By the end of 3Iay the majority have taken their depart ore, and all that remain are the few pairs
breeding in the district. In no part of the British Islands have I met with this species so numcrutis during
the summer months as in the Norfolk marshes.
The counties north of the Humher do not appear so suitable to the habits of the Yellow Wagtail;
and though stragglers are to he met with in many localities, I have never observed these birds in any thing
approaching the numbers that frequent the ilat districts on the cast coast. In Scotland I remarked a
few pairs at various times near Dunbar, ami again on Indian.' links. The species was ab.j recognize,! near
the sea-coast within a short distance of Nairn and Inverness, and once or twice on "the feudom," a
remarkably Hat sandy stretch of )ow-!y big ground to the east of Tain, in Koss-shirc.
In not a single instance have I detected the nest in Scotland. I have no wish to state that tho bird does
not breed in considerable numbers so far north, as I gave but little attention to the species in this locality,
being well acquainted with its habits from constantly observing them in the south. The situations chosen
by the Yellow Wagtail for breeding-purposes vary considerably. In Norfolk, where I have had the most
opportunities of observing them iu their summer haunts, they frequently resort to holes in the banks
of the water-dykes intersecting the grass-marshes, the spot being usually well screened by long grass or
overhanging plants. In the southern counties I have occasionally found their nests in situations almost
similar, in the levels towards the cast of Sussev and also in Kent. Throughout the arable portions of Sussex,
in the immediate vicinity and to the west of Brighton, these birds commonly rear their young in the
cornfields, some small inequality in the side of a grip or bank or even au open furrow being selected.
Early in August the young birds collect io numbers in the Norfolk marshes. At this season
considerable docks now and then make their way to the farm-buildings, and may be seen eagerly searching
for insects among the beasts in the yards. I have remarked as many as fifty or sixty busily engaged among
the litter, flying up, when disturbed, lo the roofs of the sheds, hut speedily returning when the cause of
their alarm had vanished. In Sussex I noticed both old and youug gathering in the marshes near the
sea-coast previous to migrating.
The nestling plumage of this species is totally dliferent from that assumed after the first moult. Ia
its earliest feathers the Yellow Wagtail bears a strong resemblance to the Pipit tribe. Before the end
of August a complete change has come over them; and by that time it is difficult to distinguish the old
birds from their broods, both being arrayed in their autumn travelling-dress.
The Plate shows the young birds In their first feathers. This plumage is worn for only a few weeks.