RAY'S WAGTAIL (_Motacilla_ or _Budytes Rayi_)--the Yellow Wagtail,
formerly called _Motacilla flava_--so well known as a summer visitant to
England, is very rare on the continent of Europe, where the preceding
species, called by Continental authors _Motacilla flava_, is found. Mr.
Gould was the first to point out the difference between the two, and to
assign to the British species the name of Ray's Wagtail, in memory of the
distinguished naturalist by whom it was first observed.
"In Ray's Wagtail," says Yarrell, "the line over the eyes and ear-covers
is yellow, and the back of the head is, I believe, invariably the same as
the back of the bird; while, in the Grey-headed Wagtail, or Continental
species, the white elongated line over the eyes and ear-covers appears
to be permanent, and the grey head is more or less conspicuous at all
seasons, particularly in summer. The females of the two species most
resemble each other.
The Yellow Wagtail (_B. Rayi_) comes to us from the south, appearing at
the end of March or beginning of April, and leaving us in September. It
frequents ploughed fields and uncultivated ground covered with furze; it
makes its nest both in arable land and fields of wheat and tares, and
does not appear so partial to water as other species. "It frequents,"
says Mr. Yarrell, "dry fallows and fields of young corn, where, perched
upon a clod or stone, it exhibits its rich yellow breast to great
advantage." The nest, which is placed upon the ground, is formed of
dry stalks and fibres, and lined with hair. The eggs, from four to six
in number, somewhat resemble those of the Sedge Warbler; they are of a
whitish hue, mottled with various shades of brown. The young begin to fly
about the end of May, and from that time till the season for migration,
may be seen following their parents in search of food, keeping so close
to the feet of cattle and sheep as to be in constant danger. A writer
quoted by Mr. Yarrell says, "I have seen whole parties of Yellow Wagtails
running and dodging close to the cows' heads, apparently catching small
insects. I suppose the cattle disturbed the flies which are the favourite
food of this bird, and lodge in the grass, and which, as they arose, were
caught by the watchful Wagtail, before they could secure their retreat.
The call-note of this bird resembles that of other species, although
more shrill than that of the White Wagtail; it consists of two notes,
repeated in succession, the second of which is one whole tone lower than
the other."