MO TA CILLWM-PIPITS. 



99 



Yellow Wagtail : Motacilla rait. 



A regular and common summer migrant, arriving early in April 

 and departing in September. I have never seen it, except occasion- 

 ally during the times of its migration in autumn and spring, or known 

 it to nest (though it seems formerly to have done so in Epping 

 Forest) in the inland parts of the county ; but it breeds very com- 

 monly on the marshes and lowlands along the whole of our coast- 

 line, placing its nests in the sides of the mud walls. Mr. Buxton 

 says (47. 89) that in the neighbourhood of Epping Forest it "used to 

 be frequent in summer, but [is] now scarce." 



Round Orsett, it is a common summer migrant, breeding on the marshes, where 

 the sea walls are a very favourite resort. When migrating, they may be seen at 

 short distances inland, but after having settled down to breed they are only seen 

 near the salt marshes (Sackett). At Harwich, it is very common and breeds (Kerry)- 

 Dr. Laver says it occurs on the marshes near the sea in both the Colchester and 

 Paglesham districts, but he never knew it breed inland. It is common at Maldon 

 and is especially brilliant on its arrival. It nests in the footmarks left by cattle 

 at the sides of the marsh-ditches (Fitch). 



Lieut. Legge, writing from South Shoeburyin 1865, says (23. 9836) that "great 

 numbers * * « frequent the low cultivated and marsh lands of this coast and that 

 they nest in the sod-banks of the watercourses, and, on the approach of an intru- 

 der, circle round his head, uttering their note incessantly, endeavouring to their ut- 

 most to draw his attention away. The nest * * * is consequently rather difficult 

 to find." 



Tree Pipit : A?ilhus trlvialis. 



A fairly-common summer 

 visitant, arriving early in 

 April and leaving us again 

 during September. 



Mr. Buxton says (47. 89) 

 that in Epping Forest it is " fre- 

 quent about the borders of the 

 woods." Almost every year, Mr. 

 Fitch finds a nest or two in the 

 woods near Maldon, but it is not 



common there. 



#' ' ' 'ft 



TREE PIPIT, ]A, 



[Richard's Pipit: Anthus richardi. 



Mr. Clarke wriies me, " Some years ago, there was a long-legged 

 lark which followed the plough and ran upon the land here. It 

 wagged its tail. The ploughman was a very observant man, and I 

 have always believed this to have been Richard's Pipit."] 



Meadow Pipit: Anthus pratensis. Locally, "Titlark." 



A common resident in some parts of the county, though not in 

 Others ; especially abundant on the marshes and saltings near the 



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