The Grey Wagtail is a close inhabitant of rocky streams, and we have to go to the more mountainous parts of our islands to find this species “at home.”

Like the Pied Wagtail it is a partial migrant, seeking the warmer portions in the south and west during the winter and moving back to the same rushing streams with the return of spring.

The nest is placed in one of the loose stone walls so common near its haunts, or on the ground in some cleft of the rocks. The eggs resemble those of the Yellow Wagtail, but are slightly larger.

It is a very handsome bird, the handsomest perhaps of all our Wagtails. The back and upper parts are of a deep bluish grey: wings and tail (except the two outer feathers, which are white, a characteristic of all wagtails), dark brown; under parts clear lemon yellow, paler on the vent. Length 7 in.; wing 3·3 in.

Female and young resemble the male, but are paler. In summer the male has a jet black gorget.

This species has a much longer tail than our other species, the Yellow Wagtail having the shortest tail.

Generally distributed throughout our islands but only found during summer near rushing torrents, wandering at other times throughout the country, but always in the vicinity of running water.

The note is very similar to that of the Pied Wagtail.