in ornithology, the WAGTAIL and Warbler: A genus of birds of the order of passerines, distinguished by a straight weak bill of a subulated figure, a tongue lacerated at the end, and very slender legs.

1. The alba, or white wagtail, frequents the sides of ponds and small streams, and feeds on insects and worms. The head, back, and upper and lower side of the neck, as far as the breast, are black; in some the chin is white, and the throat marked with a black crescent: the breast and belly are white; the quill-feathers are dusky; the coverts black, tipped and edged with white. The tail is very long, and always in motion. Mr Willoughby observes, that this species shifts its quarters in the winter; moving from the north to the south of England during that season. In spring and autumn it is a constant attendant on the plough, for the sake of the worms thrown up by that instrument. These birds make their nest on the ground, composed of dry grass, fine fibres of roots, and moss, lined within with hair or feathers. The eggs are five in number, white, spotted with brown; and for the most part there is only one brood in a year.

2. The flavo, or yellow wagtail, migrates in the north of England, but in Hampshire continues the whole year. The male is a bird of great beauty: the breast, belly, thighs, and vent-feathers, being of a most vivid and lovely yellow: the throat is marked with some large black spots; above the eye is a bright yellow.

(c) This does not apply to the mosses, upon the surface of which, it has already been observed, it is impossible to erect houses in any shape. Motacilla. yellow line: beneath that, from the bill, crofs the eye, is another of a dusky hue; and beneath the eye is a third of the same colour: the head and upper part of the body is of an olive-green, which brightens in the coverts of the tail; the quill-feathers are dusky; the coverts of the wings olive-coloured; but the lower rows dusky, tipt with yellowish white; the two outmost feathers of the tail half white; the others black, as in the former. The colours of the female are far more obscure than those of the male: it wants also those black spots on the throat. It makes its nest on the ground, in corn-fields: the outside is composed of decayed stems of plants, and small fibrous roots; the inside is lined with hair: it lays five eggs.

3. The regulus, or gold-crested wren, is a native of Europe, and of the correspondent latitudes of Asia and America. It is the least of all the European birds, weighing only a single drachm. Its length is about four inches and an half; and the wings, when spread out, measure little more than six inches. On the top of its head is a beautiful orange-coloured spot called its crest, which it can hide at pleasure; the margins of the crest are yellow, and it ends in a pretty broad black line; the sides of the neck are of a beautiful yellowish green; the eyes surrounded with a white circle; the neck and back of a dark green mixed with yellow; the breast of a dirty white; the tail composed of 12 feathers of a brown colour, an inch and an half long, but not forked. In America it associates with the titmice, running up and down the bark of lofty oaks with them, and collecting its food in their company, as if they were all of one brood. It feeds on insects lodged in their winter dormitories in a torpid state. It is said to sing very melodiously.

4. The sialis, or blue-bird, is a native of most parts of North America; and is about the bigness of a sparrow. The eyes are large; the head and upper part of the body, tail, and wings, are of a bright blue, excepting that the ends of the feathers are brown. The throat and breast are of a dirty red. The belly is white. It flies swiftly, having very long wings; so that the hawk generally pursues it in vain. It makes its nest in holes of trees; resembles our robin-red breast in its disposition, and feeds only on insects.

5. The futoria, or taylor-bird, is a native of the East-Indies. It is remarkable for the art with which it makes its nest, seemingly in order to secure itself and its young in the most perfect manner possible against all danger from voracious animals. It picks up a dead leaf, and sews it to the side of a living one: its slender bill is the needle, and its thread is formed of some fine fibres; the lining is composed of feathers, gossamer, and down. The colour of the bird is light-yellow; its length three inches; and its weight only three-sixteenths of an ounce: so that the materials of the nest and its own size are not likely to draw down a habitation depending on so slight a tenure.

6. The lucinia, or nightingale, exceeds in size the hedge-sparrow. The bill is brown: the irises are hazel: the head and back pale tawny, dished with olive: the tail is of a deep tawny red; the under parts pale ash-colour, growing white towards the vent: the quills are cinereous brown, with the outer margins reddish brown: the legs cinereous brown. The male and female are very similar. This bird, the most famed of the feathered tribe for the variety, length, and Motacilla, sweetness of its notes, is migratory, and supposed to be an inhabitant of the Asiatic regions during such times as it is not to be found in Europe. It is met with in Sicily, Sweden, Germany, France, Italy, and Greece; but in all those places it is migratory, as in England. Hasselquist speaks of it as being in Palestine; and Fryer ascertains its being found about Chulminor in Persia; it is also spoken of as a bird of China, Kamtchatka, and Japan; at which last place they are much esteemed, and sell dear; as they are also at Aleppo, where they are "in great abundance kept tame in houses, and let out at a small rate to such as choose it in the city, so that no entertainment is made in the spring without a concert of these birds." They are not found in America, though several of their birds improperly bear that name; and it is uncertain whether they are found in Africa. This bird visits Britain in the beginning of April, and leaves us in August; and during its continuance with us its range is confined to but a part of the island: it is not found in Scotland, Ireland, or North Wales, nor in any of the northern counties except Yorkshire; and it does not migrate so far to the west as Devonshire and Cornwall. They are solitary birds, never uniting into even small flocks; and in respect to the nests, it is very seldom that two are found near each other. The female builds in some low bush or quickset hedge well covered with foliage, for such only this bird frequents; and lays four or five eggs of a greenish brown. The nest is composed of dry leaves on the outside, mixed with grass and fibres, lined with hair or down within, though not always alike. The female alone sits on and hatches the eggs, while the male not far off regales her with his delightful song; but as soon as the young are hatched, he commonly leaves off singing, and joins with the female in the task of providing for and feeding them. After the young can provide for themselves, the old female provides for a second brood, and the song of the male recommences. They have been known to have three broods in a year, and in the hot countries even four. These birds are often brought up from the nest for the sake of their song. They are likewise caught at their first coming over; and though old birds, yet by management can be made to bear confinement, and to sing equally with those brought up from the nest. None but the vilest epicure, as Mr Latham remarks, would think of eating these charming songsters; yet we are told that their flesh is equal to that of the ortolan, and they are fatted in Gaufry for the table. Every school-boy must have read of Heliogabalus eating of nightingales tongues; and that famed dish of the Roman tragedian Æsop, which was composed of those of every singing or talking bird, and is said to have cost about £843 of our money.

7. The hippolais, or pettichaps, is somewhat less than a linnet. The bill is short; the upper mandible black, the under bluish: above and below the eye there is a yellowish line: the head, neck, and upper parts are of a greenish ash-colour; the quills and tail of a mouse-colour, with greenish edges and black shafts; and the under wing-coverts are yellow: the belly is of a silvery white; the breast darker, and tinged with yellow: the legs are bluish or lead-coloured. This species is frequent in several parts of England, and makes a nest of Motacilla of an arched form, composed of dry bents, mixed with a little moss, and thickly lined with feathers: if placed on the ground under a tuft of grass or at the bottom of a bush. The eggs are five in number, white, sprinkled all over with small red spots, most so at the largest end. In Dorsetshire it is known by the name of hay-bird. In Yorkshire it is called the team-bird, from its nestling under beams in outbuildings.

8. The atricapilla, or blackcap, is smaller than the pettichaps. The bill is brown; the top of the head is black; and the upper parts of the body are of a greenish ash-colour; the sides of the head and under parts are grey, changing to very light grey, or almost white, towards the vent; the quills and tail are cinereous brown, margined with the same colour as the upper parts; legs are lead-coloured, and the claws black. This bird is pretty common in England, and elsewhere in Europe, as far as Italy; in all which places it is known to breed; coming in spring, and retiring in September. In Italy it builds twice in the year; with us only once. The nest, which is generally placed in some low bush not far from the ground, is composed of dried stalks, mixed with a little wool and green moss round the verge; the inside lined with the fibres of roots, thinly covered with black horse-hair. The eggs are five in number; of a pale reddish brown, mottled with a deeper colour, and sprinkled with a few dark spots. The male and female sit by turns during incubation; and the young very early leap out of the nest, especially if any one approaches it, and forsake it for ever. The food is chiefly insects; but in defect of these they will eat the fruits of spurge laurel, service, and ivy; and seems to be even fond of the last, as they much frequent such trees as are overgrown with it. The song is much esteemed, and in many things almost equalling the nightingale itself; scarcely deficient, except in the delightful variety of note of the last named bird. Hence by many it has been named the mock nightingale.

9. The modularis, or hedge-sparrow, a well-known bird, has the back and wing coverts of a dusky hue edged with reddish brown; rump of a greenish brown; throat and breast of a dull ash-colour; the belly a dirty white; and the legs of a dull flesh-colour. This bird frequents hedges in England; where it makes its nest of moss and wool, lining it with hair; and lays four or five eggs of a fine pale blue. With us and the more northern regions it is seen at all seasons; but in France it is migratory, coming in October and departing northward in spring. The note of this bird would be thought pleasant, did it not remind us of the approach of winter; beginning with the first frosts, and continuing till a little time in spring. Its often repeating the words tit, tit, tit, has occasioned its being called titling; a name it is known by in many places.

10. The phoenicurus, or red start, is somewhat less than the red-breast: the forehead is white; the crown of the head, hind part of the neck, and back, are deep blue grey; the cheeks and throat black; the breast, rump, and sides, red; and the belly is white; the two middle tail-feathers are brown; the rest red; and the legs are black. The female has the top of the head and back cinereous grey; chin white. The same parts are red in this sex as in the male, but not so bright. The wings are brown in both sexes. This Motacilla bird is migratory; coming hither in spring, and departing in autumn about October. It is not so shy as many birds in respect to itself; for it approaches habitually, and frequently makes its nest in some hole of a wall where numbers of people pass by frequently: yet it is content, if no one meddles with the nest; for the least derangement of the eggs, or almost looking at them, especially if the female is disturbed thereby, causes her to forsake the nest altogether. It frequently builds also in some hole of a tree. The nest is composed chiefly of moss, lined with hair and feathers. The eggs are blue, and four or five in number. This bird frequently wags its tail; but does it likewise like a dog when he is pleased, and not up and down like the wagtail. It is with difficulty that these birds are kept in a cage; nor will they submit to it by any means if caught old. Their song has no great strength; yet it is agreeable enough; and they will, if taught young, imitate the note of other birds, and sing by night frequently as well as in the day-time.

11. The falcaria, or fedge-bird, is about the size of the blackcap, but more slender. The head is brown, marked with dusky streaks; the cheeks are brown; with a white line over each eye; and above that a black one; the upper parts of the neck and back are of a reddish brown; and the wing-coverts and quills dusky; the under parts are white; but the breast and belly have a yellow tinge; the tail is brown, and much rounded; and the legs are dusky. This bird is common in England, and frequents places where reeds and sedges grow, among which it is said to make the nest, though it has been known to do this on the lowest branches of trees. The nest is composed of straw and dried fibres of plants, lined with hair; and the eggs five in number, of a dirty white, marbled with brown. It is observed to imitate the note of the swallow, sky-lark, house-sparrow, and other birds, in a pleasing but hurrying manner, and sings all night.

12. The ficedula, or epicurean warbler, is in length five inches: the upper parts are grey brown; the under parts greyish white, with a tinge of brown on the breast; and the legs are blackish. This is a bird much esteemed on the continent for the delicate flavour of its flesh. Their chief food is insects; except in autumn, and grapes; whence it is supposed their great delicacy in some measure arises. It is not found in England, but met with in most of the intermediate parts between Sweden and Greece; where, however, it is only a summer-inhabitant, probably retiring still more south at the approach of winter. In the isle of Cyprus and Candy they abound greatly, inasmuch as to be an article of commerce. They transport them in vessels filled with vinegar and sweet herbs: the isle of Cyprus alone collects 1000 or 1200 of these pots every year.

13. The rubecula, or red-breast, is universally known: the upper parts are of a greenish ash-colour; the forehead, throat, neck, and breast, a rufous orange; the belly and vent whitish; the bill, legs, and sides of the body, dusky. It is a constant inhabitant of these kingdoms, as well as the whole European continent from Sweden to Italy. It abounds in Burgundy and Lorraine, where numbers are taken for the table, and, though... thought excellent. It builds not far from the ground if in a bush; though sometimes it fixes on an out-house, or retired part of some old building. The nest is composed of dried leaves, mixed with hair and moss, and lined with feathers. The eggs are of a dusky white, marked with irregular reddish spots; and are from five to seven in number. The young, when full feathered, may be taken for a different bird, being spotted all over. The first rudiments of the red break forth on the breast about the end of August; but it is quite the end of September before they come to the full colour. Insects are their general food; but in defect of these they will eat many other things. No bird is so tame and familiar as this; closely attending the heels of the gardener when he is using his spade, for the sake of worms; and frequently in winter entering houses where windows are open, when they will pick up the crumbs from the table while the family is at dinner. Its familiarity has caused a petty name to be given it in several countries. The people about Bornholm call it Tommi-liden; in Norway, Peer Rønmad; the Germans, Thomas Gierdet; and we, the Robin Red-breast.

14. The rubicola, or stone-chatter, is in length about four inches and three quarters. The male has the upper parts of the body mixed blackish and pale rufous; on each side the neck there is a transverse streak of white; the breast is of a reddish yellow; the belly paler; and the legs are black. The female has the colours much less vivid. This bird inhabits dry places, such as heaths and commons; living on insects of all kinds. It makes its nest early, at the foot of some low bush, or under a stone; and lays five or six eggs of a bluish green, sparingly marked with faint rufous spots. It is so very crafty as not to betray the place of the nest, never alighting but at some distance, and creeping on the ground to it by the greatest stealth. It is a restless bird, incessantly flying from bush to bush; and seems to have received its English name from its note, resembling the clicking of two stones together.

15. The rubetra, or whin-chat, is somewhat bigger than the stone-chatter. The upper parts are blackish, edged with rufous; from the bill arises a streak of white, which passes over the eye on each side, almost to the hind head; beneath this the cheeks are blackish; the chin is white; the rest of the under parts rufous white; on the wing, near the shoulder, is a transverse white mark, and another smaller near the bastard wing, on the outer edge; the legs are black. The female differs in being paler, and the spots on the wings and the white trace over the eye being far less conspicuous. This is not uncommon in Britain, and is seen along with the stone-chatter on the heaths during the summer months; where it breeds, making the nest much after the manner of that bird. It lays five dirty white eggs, dotted with black. This species is common also on the continent of Europe, in France, Italy, Germany, and the more temperate parts of Russia; but it is said to be less common than the stone-chatter there, as it is also in England. Its food is chiefly insects; and is said to be as good as the ortolan, when fat and in good condition.

16. The cenanthe, or wheat-cot, is in length five inches and a half. The top of the head, hind part of the neck, and back, are of a bluish grey; and over the eye a streak of white; the under parts of the body yellowish white, changing to pure white at the vent; the breast is tinged with red; and the legs are black. This bird is met with in most parts of Europe, even as far as Greenland; and specimens have also been received from the East Indies. It visits England annually in the middle of March, and leaves us in September. It chiefly frequents heaths. The nest is usually placed under shelter of some turf, clod, stone, or the like, always on the ground, and not unfrequently in some deserted rabbit-burrow. It is composed of dry grass or moss, mixed with wool, fur of the rabbit, &c. or lined with hair and feathers. The eggs are from five to eight in number, of a light blue, with a deeper blue circle at the large end. The young are hatched the middle of May. In some parts of England these birds are in vast plenty. About Luton in Suffolk they are taken in snares made of horsehair placed beneath a long turf: Being very timid birds, the motion of a cloud or the appearance of an hawk will drive them for shelter into these traps, and so they are taken. The numbers annually enslaved in that district alone amount to about 1840 dozen, which usually sell at sixpence per dozen. Quantities of these are eaten on the spot by the neighbouring inhabitants; others are picked, and sent up to the London poulterers; and many are potted, being as much esteemed in England as the ortolan on the continent. Their food is insects only; though in rainy summers they feed much on earth-worms, whence they are fattest in such seasons.

17. The cyanea, or superb warbler, a most beautiful species, is five inches and a half long. The bill is black; the feathers of the head are long, and stand erect like a full crest; from the forehead to the crown they are of a bright blue; from thence to the nape, black like velvet; through the eyes from the bill there runs a line of black; and beneath the eye springs a tuft of the same blue feathers; beneath which, and on the chin, it is of a deep blue almost black, and feeling like velvet; on the ears is another patch of blue, and across the back part of the head a band of the same; the whole giving the head a greater appearance of bulk than is natural: the hind part of the neck, and upper parts of the body and tail, are of a deep blue black; the under, pure white; the wings are dusky; the shafts of the quills chestnut; the legs are dusky brown; the claws black. It inhabits Van Diemen's Land, the most southern part of New Holland. The female of this species, of which a figure is given in Philip's Voyage to Botany Bay, is discovered to be entirely destitute of all the fine blue colours, both pale and dark, by which the male is adorned, except that there is a very narrow circle of azure round each eye, apparently on the skin only; all the upper feathers consist of shades of brown, and the whole throat and belly is pure white. Except from the shape and size, this bird would not be suspected at first sight to belong to the same species as the male: the epithet of superb applies very ill to the female.

18. The troglodytes, or wren, is a very small species, in length only three inches three quarters, though some have measured four inches. The bill is very slender, and of a dusky brown colour: the head, neck, and back, are of a reddish brown; and over each eye a pale reddish white streak; the under parts, as far as the breast, are of this last colour; the rest more inclined to brown, crossed with brown lines; the legs are pale brown. It generally carries the tail erect. The nest is of a curious construction, in shape almost oval, and has only one small entrance; it is chiefly composed of moss, well lined with feathers. In this the female lays from 10 to 16 or even 18 eggs, which are almost white, with reddish markings at the large end. She builds twice in a year, in April and June. The nest is frequently found in some corner of an outhouse, stack of wood, hole in a wall, or such like, if near habitations; but in the woods often in a bush near the ground, in a stump of a tree, or on the ground itself. This minute bird is found throughout Europe; and in England it defies our severest winters. Its song is much esteemed, being, though short, a pleasing warble, and much louder than could be expected from the size of the bird; it continues throughout the year.

Above 150 other species, besides varieties, are enumerated by ornithologists.

MOTÉ, in law-books, signifies court or convention; as a ward mote, burgh-mote, swain-mote, &c.

Mote, was also used for a fortress or castle; as mota de Windfor, &c.

Mote also denoted a standing water to keep fish in; and sometimes a large ditch encompassing a castle or dwelling-house.

Mote-Bell, or Mot-Bell, the bell so called, which was used by the English Saxons to call people together to the court. See Folkmote.