Richard's Pipit 

 RICHARD'S PIPIT 



Anthus richardi, Vieillot 



This eastern species breeds in Turkestan, Siberia, and 

 Mongolia, but a large number yearly visit Europe during 

 the autumn migration. In England a good many examples 

 have been obtained, and closer observation may prove it to 

 be a regular autumn migrant along our eastern and southern 

 seaboard, as it is abundant on Heligoland every year. It 

 has occurred once in Scotland and once in Ireland. 



It is a large bird and may be distinguished by its long 

 hind claw ; when seen on the wing it appears very dark. 

 The feathers of the upper parts are sandy brown with dark 

 centres, but the rump is of a nearly uniform brown. Wing 

 coverts tipped with reddish buff. Outer pair of tail feathers 

 white with dusky margins to the inner webs, in the next 

 pair the dusky margin is much broader, remainder of the tail 

 feathers very dark brown. Chin white, margined with 

 brown spots ; breast huffish and thickly spotted ; belly 

 white. Length 7 '2 5 in.; wing 3" 7 5 in. 



THE WATER PIPIT 



Anthus spipoletta (Linnseus) 



The Water Pipit breeds in the Alps, Pyrenees, and other 

 mountain ranges of Central Europe, migrating in winter to 

 the shores of the Mediterranean. A few odd stragglers 



97 ^3 



