THE BIRDS OF ESSEX. 



coast; rarer inland, where it is seldom met with except during 

 winter. 



At Harwich it is very common and breeds (Kerry). Mr. Clarke describes it (24) as 

 ' not uncommon in meadows " round Saffron Walden. King describes it (20) as 

 being " common " at Sudbury, where he says it breeds in the meadows. Lieut. Legge 

 says (23.9839) that round Shoebury they are "very plentiful, particularly near 

 the shore." In Epping Forest, Mr. Buxton speaks of it (47. 89) as " only a win- 

 ter visitant." Round Orsett, it is not common, though it breeds (Sackett). I do 

 not remember to have met with its nest near Chelmsford. Mr. Hope says it is 

 very common on the coast at all times of the year, but fresh arrivals take place in 

 October. 



Mr. Pettitt has a light sandy-coloured variety, sent to him anonymously 

 from the Chelmsford district, about the year 1886, and au albino has been obtained 

 near Stratford (29. Oct. 19, 1889). 



Rock Pipit : Anthus obscurus. Locally " Mudlark." 

 A common bird on the marshes and saltings on and near our coast 

 from autumn to spring ; but, notwithstanding the following state- 

 ments by Dr. Bree, I know 

 of no authentic instance of its 

 breeding in the county. It 

 seems probable that the birds 

 seen on the banks of the 

 Colne during winter were true 

 Rock Pipits, but that the birds 

 breeding on the cliff, which 

 Dr. Bree mistook for that 

 species, were really Meadow 

 Pipits, a species which I know 

 is now abundant at the spot. 

 I found it very common on the mudbanks and saltings of the Maldon Estuary 

 at Christmas, 1888. Round Harwich, however, Mr. Kerry describes it as scarce. 

 He adds that two in his possession, which were shot on the sea-shore in the autumn, 

 are the only specimens he has seen there. The Rev. M. C. H. Bird, saw specimens on 

 Canvey Island, in 1889, as early as September 27th. Mr. Sackett writes me that 

 when on the Orsett marshes on December 25th, 1888, he shot one "which being 

 winged and falling into a marsh-pool, he was surprised to see swim readily and 

 easily." Dr. Maclean, writing from Colchester to T. C. Heysham, about 18351 

 says (16) : 



"The Rocklarks, which are still upon the mud in this part of the world, are 

 covered with stumps about the head and neck, and several specimens had scarcely 

 any feathers upon them. One which had nearly perfected its plumage had a very 

 rich breast and very different to the autumn plumage. I shall watch their depar- 

 ture and should much like to know the time of their arrival in their breeding places 

 and the state of their plumage immediately on their arrival." 



Dr. Bree writes (34. 792) : " When I first came to Colchester in 1859, Dr. 

 Maclean, who is a well-known naturalist, put me ir. possession of the whole 'little 

 history,' which is very interesting. All through tr^e winter, the banks of the Colne 

 between Colchester and the sea are occupied by the Rock Pipit, and Dr. Maclean es- 



ROCK PIPIT, 



