A LIST OF THE BIRDS OF BERWICK-ON-TWEED 67 



to the young ornithologist, on the look-out for rare Pipits, the various 

 shades of browns and greys, or even olive-greens, presented by the 

 different specimens is very confusing, while the white or smoky brown 

 of the light pattern on the outer tail feathers is only one of degree, 

 and often only to be settled by comparison. It is then that a 

 watch must be kept for A. cervinus, A. spipoletta, and kindred 

 species, but so far the search has been in vain. 



ROCK PIPIT, Anthus obscurus (Latham). A common resident, 

 breeding on the sea banks, all along the coast, and seldom wandering 

 inland farther than an easy flight from the rocks, except indeed by 

 the sides of the Tweed, whose banks they follow up for a mile or 

 two from the sea ; their favourite feeding-place is always in the 

 immediate vicinity of water. 



RICHARD'S PIPIT, Anthus richardi, Vieillot. Has occurred at 

 Howick on the Northumberland coast (Hancock, " Birds of North- 

 umberland and Durham," p. 58), but not nearer to Berwick, so far 

 as I am aware. 



SKYLARK, Alauda arvensis^ Linnagus. A well-known and 

 abundant resident. In autumn and winter, Larks often collect 

 in very large flocks upon the " Meadows " north of the town, and 

 between the railway and the sea. Here they become associated 

 in hard weather with Snow Buntings, Linnets, etc., with whom they 

 have to share the dangers of the "gilderts," and snares, set by the 

 boys, and birdcatchers, of the town. Cock Grey Linnets are the 

 birds most sought after on these occasions, and hen Linnets and 

 Larks are often allowed to escape, sometimes with the loss or 

 disfigurement of their tails, but frequently alas ! the poor Lark is 

 carried home to end his days in a very small cage where, hung from 

 some window in Walkergate Lane, or the Greens, the songster who 

 erst " at heaven's gate sang," is fain to pour forth a stave or two 

 of melancholy cadence to the passer-by. Our pity for the poor 

 birds under these circumstances must, however, be tempered by the 

 thought of how greatly their song must be appreciated by the children 

 in those narrow rooms ; and as a rule their owners in our back 

 streets are most kind and attentive to the wants of their feathered 

 friends. We never see caged birds more tame and contented than 

 they are in the kitchens of the poorer classes, and after all have 

 the dwellers in a town not more excuse for keeping such birds as 

 the Lark in confinement than their more well-to-do neighbours, who 

 can enjoy the wild bird's song every day round their country 

 residences ? 



WOOD LARK, Alauda arborea, Linnseus. An extremely rare 

 casual visitant to Northumberland, and one scarcely likely to occur 

 near Berwick. Selby records one, killed near Twizell, on 24th 

 November 1827, which is probably the only satisfactory record for 



