It is common and abundant throughout our islands.
THE WALL-CREEPER
Tichodroma muraria (Linnæus)
Very few examples of this species, whose home is in the mountainous regions of Europe, have occurred in these islands. It spends its life climbing over the bare and precipitous surfaces of rock, searching for spiders and other insects on which it feeds.
The general colour is slate grey with crimson wing coverts and a black throat. The tail feathers are not stiff as in the preceding species. Length 6 in.; wing 3·9 in.
THE PIED WAGTAIL
Motacilla lugubris, Temminck
“Chizzit, chizzit,” and looking round we see our little grey friend as he passes with his peculiar and characteristic dipping flight across the field towards the ivy-clad wall. Every year he comes with unfailing regularity to rear his brood near the same spot. It is an old red-brick wall, thickly covered with ivy, which has concealed the various nooks and crannies brought about by the winter’s frosts and the heat of the summer sun. In such a place the Pied Wagtail delights to build his nest. Although not strictly speaking a migrant, for some individuals spend the whole year with us, he nevertheless appears with unfailing regularity towards the end of April at his accustomed haunt, and probably brings his mate with him, for we seldom see more than a pair together at their breeding quarters, and thus quietly, and without any demonstration, the nest-building is begun. This is usually done in the very early hours of the morning, and the day is spent in some neighbouring field among the cattle, with occasional excursions to the side of the stream for the frequent bath which has earned for this species the name of “Polly Dishwasher.”
PIED WAGTAIL
Motacilla lugubris
When the nest, which is composed of grass and bents lined with horsehair, is completed, the six grey and speckled eggs are laid and incubation, which is solely carried on by the hen, begins.
If we did not know the habits of our friend, the first signs of his presence in the garden would be when he flies up to feed his mate with some special titbit, and then as he jumps out from the ivy we see him winging his way with elegant flight across the meadow to his favourite feeding-ground. In due course the young are hatched, and as the needs of the growing family become greater, we can often see the parents coming and going with unceasing energy till night brings compulsory rest to their labours. When the young leave the nest they are almost immediately taken into the grass fields, where the flies, attracted by the feeding cattle, offer them an easy livelihood.