PASSERES — MOTACILLID^E — ANTHUS. 77 



Description. Hind claw longer than the toe. Color, varies, as we have noticed above, 

 with age and sex. In the male, the upper parts greyish brown, with a darker shade in the 

 centre of each feather. Cheeks brown : a light colored stripe or band over the eye, more 

 distinct in its summer plumage. Beneath dusky white ; the lower part of the neck, the breast 

 and sides of the abdomen with long dusky spots ; chin white. In summer, the male has the 

 neck and breast tinged with reddish. Female, similar to the male in its winter plumage. 

 Young, with more green above ; lower mandible yellowish ; the spots beneath dark and con- 

 spicuous ; the two bands on the wings greyish brown, and an obscure band of brownish on 

 the neck. 



Length, 6" 5 -7-0. 



There appears to have been much diversity of opinion respecting this species, arising from 

 its various states of plumage. It was originally noticed by Gmelin, and subsequently well de- 

 scribed by Wilson as the A. rufa. Subsequent writers referred it to spinoletta and aquaticus 

 of Europe. Mr. Audubon described the young as a new species under the name of pipiens, 

 which he has since restored to its proper place ; but Bonaparte, in his Geographical and 

 Comparative List, has chosen to consider it still as a distinct species. 



The Little Brown Titlark winters in Louisiana, and as far south as Brazil. It reaches us 

 about the beginning of May, and goes north as high as the 63d parallel. It breeds in Ver- 

 mont and farther north, but I have not ascertained whether it breeds in this State. The eggs 

 are from 4-6 in number, deep reddish brown, with spots and streaks of a deeper hue. Its 

 food varies with its locality. Here it frequents in preference rocky shores and the banks of 

 streams, feeding on minute shells, shrimps and aquatic insects. When in meadows or ploughed 

 grounds, they feed on insects and various seeds, and on such occasions are found in small 

 flocks. On its return from the north, it passes through this State in October. Mr. Nuttall 

 states that nearly all the birds which pass south in the autumn are young, the adult or white- 

 breasted bird having as yet not been noticed. It has been observed on the shores of the 

 Pacific at Columbia river. 



