208 On the Occurrence of some of the Rarer Species of Birds 



Warminster, informed me he had stuffed one for Mr. Baker, of 

 Mere, killed by himself at that place. I have since, however, seen 

 this latter bird and cannot say that it can certainly be proved to be 

 a specimen of M. Flava. The head is damaged, which would have 

 been the best part of the bird to decide the question, and Mr. Baker 

 himself was obliged to allow that he was not quite certain on the 

 point, although he believed it to be one of the rarer sort. 



Anthid^. 



We now come to a group of birds which has received much more 

 attention of late years than formerly ; arid this has resulted in the 

 discovery of several distinct species having been recognised as 

 visitors to our shores, which before were not known to be so. There 

 are, however, only two of this tribe which are at all common in- 

 land, all the others, more or less, being only found near the sea shore. 



Anthus Pratensis. " The Meadow Pipit." Quite common, 

 generally known by the name of Titlark. I have one of these in 

 my collection, which I killed with an arrow at some 20 yards' dis- 

 tance — greatly to my own, as it must have been to the poor bird's 

 surprise. The eggs of this bird vary greatly in colour, from lightish 

 grey to deep chocolate and pinkish-brown. 



Anthus Arboreus. "Tree Pipit." This species is also widely 

 scattered, though not so common as the last, and is not so gre- 

 garious in its habits. It may be detected in the spring by its 

 peculiar mode of singing. Starting up from the bush or tree on 

 which it is sitting, it will rise for some height into the air, and 

 then descend again, with quivering wings and tail, and its feet 

 hanging straight down as though anxious to grasp hold of the first 

 convenient perch that might come within its reach after its descent. 

 The eggs of this species, also, vary in colour a good deal, but can 

 readily be distinguished from the last-named species, being blotched 

 and mottled something in the same way as the Black Cap's. 



Anthus Ricardi. " Richard's Pipit." Of this species, as well as 

 of the Rock Pipit — Anthus Petrosus, and of the Tawny Pipit — 

 Anthus Campestris, I can give no nearer local information than from 

 the Christchurch district. They are all more or less lovers of the 



