542 



PERCHING BIRDS 



1884, a fourth in the same county in 1885, and a fifth in 1901. 

 In 1895 and again in 1901, a specimen was taken in Ireland. The 

 absence of spots and streaks from the throat, which is of a wine-red 

 colour like the sides of the neck, serves to distinguish this species from 

 the titlark. 



Richards Pioit ^^'^ large size — superior to that of any other species 



(Anthus richardi) — affords an easy method of recognising Richard's 



pipit on its comparatively rare visits to the British 



Islands. In length the male bird measures about 7^ inches, and the 



female somewhat less ; another distinctive feature being that the claw 



klCHARD'S IMI'IT. 



of the hind-toe is equal in length to the toe itself In general appear- 

 ance this bird is decidedly lark-like, being dark brown above, with buff 

 margins to the feathers of the back, reddish-buff tips to the wing-coverts, 

 and buffish-whitc edges to the secondary quills. A white throat merges 

 into buff on the breast and flanks ; the breast being marked by lance- 

 shaped dark spots which extend to form a line on each side of the 

 throat terminating at the base of the beak, but are wanting on the 

 flanks. The hen is less ruddy, while young birds are distinguished by 

 the duller and jjaler upper-parts, and the more abundant spotting of 

 the throat and breast. 



A native of central and north-eastern Asia, where its breeding-range 

 extends from eastern Turkestan and the Venesci valley to Mongolia and 

 eastern Siberia, this pipit is a winter-visitor not only to China and the 



