File:Birds of Britain (1907) (14755077652).jpg

Identifier: birdsofbritain00bonh (find matches)
Title: Birds of Britain
Year: 1907 (1900s)
Authors: Bonhote, J. Lewis (John Lewis), 1875-1922 Dresser, Henry Eeles, 1838-1915
Subjects: Birds -- Great Britain
Publisher: London, A. and C. Black
Contributing Library: American Museum of Natural History Library
Digitizing Sponsor: Biodiversity Heritage Library

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Text Appearing Before Image:
rey friend as he passes with his peculiar and characteristicdipping flight across the field towards the ivy-clad wall.Every year he comes with unfailing regularity to rear hisbrood near the same spot. It is an old red-brick wall,thickly covered with ivy, which has concealed the variousnooks and crannies brought about by the winters frosts andthe heat of the summer sun. In such a place the PiedWagtail delights to build his nest. Although not strictlyspeaking a migrant, for some individuals spend the wholeyear with us, he nevertheless appears with unfailing regularitytowards the end of April at his accustomed haunt, andprobably brings his mate with him, for we seldom seemore than a pair together at their breeding quarters, andthus quietly, and without any demonstration, the nest-building is begun. This is usually done in the very earlyhours of the morning, and the day is spent in some neigh-bouring field among the cattle, with occasional excursions to 86 PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla lug7ibris
Text Appearing After Image:
The Pied Wagtail the side of the stream for the frequent bath which hasearned for this species the name of Polly Dishwasher. When the nest, which is composed of grass and bentslined with horsehair, is completed, the six grey and speckledeggs are laid and incubation, which is solely carried on bythe hen, begins. If we did not know the habits of our friend, the firstsigns of his presence in the garden would be when he fliesup to feed his mate with some special titbit, and then as hejumps out from the ivy we see him winging his way withelegant flight across the meadow to his favourite feeding-ground. In due course the young are hatched, and as theneeds of the growing family become greater, we can often seethe parents coming and going with unceasing energy tillnight brings compulsory rest to their labours. When theyoung leave the nest they are almost immediately takeninto the grass fields, where the flies, attracted by the feedingcattle, offer them an easy livelihood. September comes, and

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