A common and very elegant bird, building under bridges, and near the water, but always in some rough or stony place, such as a hole where a brick has fallen out. Haunting stream and pond-sides in quest of food, it is quite as particular as a lady is over her dress, flirting its little tail so as to preserve it from getting soiled. THE GRAY WAG-TAIL, (_Motacilla sulphurea_), ii., 82. Similar to the last in habits, and very beautiful in its breeding plumage, showing yellow, blue, black, white, green, and many other tints. Near Manchester rather rare. THE MEADOW PIPIT, OR TITLING (_Anthus pratensis_), ii., 86. Common in meadows and upon the mosses, as Chat Moss and White Moss, on which it breeds abundantly. This bird has most young cuckoos to rear of any of the feathered tribe that build on the ground, and a good deal of work to do, for the young cuckoos are both big and hungry. It is one also of many which, if they think their young are in danger, feign to be wounded, so as to draw attention away from the nest. THE SKYLARK, OR LAVROCK (_Alauda arvensis_), ii., 93. Common everywhere, building on the ground. The male bird seems to collect the materials, while the female employs herself in arranging them. Seldom alighting upon either tree or bush, the lark, rather singular to say, is, except when soaring, in its habits almost wholly terrestrial. THE COMMON BUNTING (_Emberiza miliaria_), ii., 97. Not infrequent, singing, in a shrill note, in March, on the tops of trees near cultivated fields. The nest is built on the ground, near the sides of ditches. THE BLACK-HEADED BUNTING, OR BLACK-CAP (_Emberiza schoeniculus_), ii., 98. Common about pit-sides and wide ditches. THE YELLOW-AMMER (_Emberiza citrinella_), ii., 90. Common. The song, in March and April, is very peculiar, and sounds like the words, "A little bit of bread and no ch-e-e-se," the first part of the sentence uttered rapidly, and the latter long drawn out. (This name, often mis-written yellow-_h_ammer, represents the German _goldammer_, literally "yellow-bunting.") THE CHAFFINCH (_Fringilla cælebs_), ii., 102. Common. A very early harbinger of spring, in woods, fields, and gardens, and very fond of orchards, building a beautiful nest of all sorts of materials within reach. One has been found constructed entirely of raw cotton. The eggs are sometimes blue, sometimes white with pale spots, or pinky, or red, as if pencil-marked. Named _cælebs_ by Linnæus, because in winter, especially when the season is severe, in many parts the sexes say good-bye to one another, and live asunder till spring, when they re-unite. One of the neatest in habits of all English birds. Even in the depth of winter the chaffinch seeks a lavatory every day. THE TREE SPARROW (_Passer montanus_), ii., 104. A sharp little bird, not uncommon, and usually building in hollow oak-trees. If the tree be approached during incubation it flies off like a shot. THE HOUSE SPARROW (_Passer domesticus_), ii., 105.