November, 191 2. The Irish Naturalist* 209 



DISCOVERY OF THE TREE-PIPIT 

 ON THE TUSKAR ROCK, CO. WEXFORD. 



A New Bird for the Irish List. 



BY PROFESSOR C. J. PATTEN, M.A., M.D., SC.D. 



(PLATE 4.) 



At 6.12 a.m. on Tuesday, September loth, 1912, I 

 collected a Tree-Pipit (Anthus trivialis), the first example, 

 as far as I am aware, that has been obtained in Ireland. 

 The morning, while fine, was rather overcast, and the wind, 

 coming from the north, blew with the force of a moderate 

 breeze. The bird, as its head, shoulders, and breast 

 appeared over a conical projection of rock, was not by 

 any means well lit up, the grey colour of its upper plumage 

 blending to a considerable extent with the surroundings. 

 The whitish under parts, i.e., lower breast and abdomen 

 were hidden from view. As I looked at the bird, I was 

 not at all sure as to the species to which it belonged. I 

 believed, however, that it was one of two birds, either a 

 Meadow-Pipit or a Wheatear. From its coloration it 

 appeared like the former, but in its bearing it seemed to 

 resemble the latter, especially as it stood up and peered 

 at me from one spot. It did not move hither and thither 

 as one so often sees a Meadow-Pipit doing directly it alights 

 on the ground. I had no occasion to collect another Wheat- 

 ear that morning, having many on hand, but I was 

 anxious to increase my collection of Meadow-Pipits. To 

 ascertain which of these two suspected species the bird 

 might be, I put it to flight, and took my chance that it 

 would not leave the rock. Directly it rose I saw it was 

 no Wheatear, the conspicuous white rump, which at once 

 secures the identification of this species when flying, being 

 absent. After a very short flight of about fifteen yards, 

 the bird again settled down, and now with doubts still in 

 my mind, but inclining to the idea that it was only a quiet 

 and silent Meadow-Pipit, I decided to collect it. On 

 picking it up and glancing casually at it I certainly did 

 take a note of the shade of colour of the upper parts, which 



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