The VELVET-HEADED or SHEEP WAGTAIL (_Budytes melanocephalus_) is of a
rich black upon the brow, top of the head, and region of the eye; the
entire mantle is olive-colour, shaded with green; the under side is
bright sulphur-yellow; the wings and centre tail-feathers are black, with
light edges; and the wing-covers brownish black, bordered with white. The
female is of an olive-green above and pale greyish yellow on the under
side; the region of the ear is black. A remarkable variety inhabiting
Great Britain is yellowish green on the top of the head and nape, but the
rest of its plumage resembles that of the above-mentioned species. Both
birds are from six to six and a half inches long, and from nine to ten
broad; the wing measures from two inches and five-sixths to three inches
and a quarter, and the tail two inches.
The Sheep Wagtails appear in Europe about May, and leave again in August
or September. During the breeding season they usually frequent marshy
districts, and the immediate vicinity of water, but at other times pass
almost the entire day in pasture lands, near flocks of sheep or herds of
cattle. Most members of this family breed in Greece and North Africa, but
some few in the northern parts of Europe. The flight of all is light,
and often remarkably rapid; they generally hover before alighting, or
sink suddenly and directly earthward, with wings completely closed.
Their song consists of a few insignificant piping notes. Although of
a social temperament, they display during the breeding season a most
quarrelsome and pugnacious disposition, pursuing and giving battle to
every small bird that ventures to approach their dwelling-place. The
nest is concealed among grass, corn, or water plants, and is usually
made in a slight hollow in the ground; in form it resembles that of a
Lark or Pipit; the walls are loosely constructed with fine roots, grass,
dry leaves, and moss, and the interior lined with wool, horsehair, and
feathers. The eggs, from four to six in number, have delicate shells,
of a yellowish, reddish, or greyish hue, veined, spotted, and clouded
with brown, yellow, violet, and grey. But one brood is produced in the
year; the female alone undertakes the duty of incubation, and hatches
the nestlings in about three days. Both parents exhibit the utmost
anxiety about the safety of their little ones, and frequently betray
their retreat by the cries of alarm which they utter on the approach of a
stranger. Young and old remain together until they start forth on their
winter excursions.
Jerdon is of opinion that from the description of _B. melanocephalus_
of Southern Europe, there is little doubt that it is identical with
the Indian bird, which thus appears also to inhabit Northern Africa,
South-eastern Europe, and Western Africa. "In India this Wagtail comes
in towards the end of September, and does not quit the north of India,
till the end of April or beginning of May. It is exceedingly abundant
in every part of India, usually assembling in considerable flocks and
feeding among cattle, picking up the insects disturbed by their feet
while grazing. These birds also frequent damp meadow ground near rivers
or tanks, grain fields, where they may be often put up with the so-called
Ortolan (_Calandrella brachydactyla_) during the heat of the day, and,
late in the season, they may always be seen taking advantage of any
shade--a tree, stone, small clump or paling, to shelter them from the
mid-day heat. Now and then a few may be seen about houses in gardens
and roads, occasionally even perching on a housetop or paling, but very
rarely on trees. Many are snared at Calcutta and elsewhere to be served
up as Ortolan."
According to our own observations by far the greater number of these
Wagtails pass the winter in Central Africa, and we have also seen them
constantly in Egypt at that season, wandering about the pastures with the
cattle, and even accompanying them to their drinking-places.