Page:The Zoologist, 1st series, vol 1 (1843).djvu/165

Rh dents may be able to aid in the solution of the question, as well as to suggest the cause of the frequent dartings against the window.—A. Holland; Stratford-on-Avon, March 8, 1843.

geographical position of Sussex, as a southern maritime county, is particularly favourable for observations on the distribution and migration of many of our birds of passage: and I have availed myself of the opportunity afforded by a residence of some years, and frequent visits at all seasons to different parts of the coast, to pay much attention to this interesting subject.

The Pied Wagtail.—During the course of my observations I was struck by the incorrectness of the received opinion that our pied wagtail is migratory only in the northern, but stationary in the southern counties of England. This discovery led to another consideration. Mr. Gould, in his work on the birds of Europe, has separated the pied wagtail which occurs on the continent from the British species, distinguishing the latter as Motacilla Yarrellii, and the former as the true Motacilla alba of Linnaeus; and he supposes the channel to be the line of demarcation between the habitats of the two species.

Mr. Yarrell, in his admirable work on British birds, while coinciding for the present in Mr. Gould's views, has declined to give a decided, or rather a final opinion of his own, but has quoted Mr. Gould's observations, and added illustrations of the two species; and with that impartiality which is an invariable accompaniment of true genius, has invited the notice of future observers to the subject.

Whatever, therefore, may be my views as to the accuracy of this specific distinction, I am anxious to abstain from expressing an opinion at variance with such high authority, preferring that others should draw their own conclusions from my observations, which I trust may be found to throw some light on the subject, or at least to elucidate a portion of the history of one of our most beautiful birds.

The pied wagtail arrives from the continent on the shores of Sussex about the middle of March. Although several remain with us during the winter, these bear but a small proportion to the numbers that visit us in the spring. On fine days during this month, with a gentle