THE TAWNY PIPIT. 175 



plumage is acquired by complete moult in Aug. -Nov. Summer. 

 The body-plumage, most wing-coverts and occasionally some inner- 

 most secondaries and central tail-feathers are moulted March -April, 

 but not primary-coverts nor rest of wing- and tail-feathers. The 

 new plumage is like the old, but when much worn (June and July) 

 the upper-parts become less sandy and darker, more pinkish- 

 brown, and pale edges wearing off inner secondaries and wing- 

 coverts give it a still more uniform appearance, while under-parts 

 become paler and small streaks on breast rather more prominent. 



Nestling. ( Not exa mined . ) 



Juvenile. Feathers of upper-parts including wing-coverts, 

 inner secondaries and central tail-feathers dark reddish-brown 

 evenly margined pale buff to buffish-white ; upper tail-coverts 

 buff with broad dark brown mesial streaks ; under-parts much 

 as adults but with more and broader dark brown streaks on breast 

 and distinct moustachial stripes ; flanks lightly streaked ; rest 

 of tail and wings like adults. N.B. In this plumage closely 

 resembles juvenile Richard's Pipit, but may be at once recognized 

 by its smaller tarsus and foot. 



First winter. Like adults but frequently with many pale- 

 margined juvenile feathers on the body and always with some in. 

 wing-coverts and inner secondaries. The juvenile body-feathers 

 and a varying number of wing-coverts and innermost secondaries 

 and sometimes the central tail-feathers are moulted in July-Nov. 

 N.B. Extent of moult and number of juvenile feathers retained 

 varies considerably individually. Summer. Like adults and 

 moult the same. Remaining juvenile body-feathers and median 

 and lesser wing-coverts appear to be always moulted, but not 

 necessarily the innermost secondaries and central tail-feathers, the 

 edges of which become so worn as to make them indistinguishable 

 from those of adults. 



Measurements and structure. < wing 89-98 mm., tail 67-74, 

 tarsus 26-29, bill from skull 15-18, hind claw 7-10, about as long 

 as hind toe, curved (12 measured). $ wing 81-89. Primaries : 

 1st minute and less than half primary-coverts, 3rd and 4th equal 

 and longest, 2nd as long or 1-2 mm. shorter, 5th 1-3 shorter, 6th 

 10-13 shorter ; 3rd to 5th emarginated outer webs. Secondaries 

 between 8th and 10th primaries, tips square slightly notched, 

 longest inner secondary as long as longest primary or between 

 5th and 6th. Tail very slightly forked. Bill fine, wider and 

 flatter at base. A few fine rictal bristles, nostrils uncovered. 



Soft parts. Bill, upper mandible and tip of lower dark brown,. 

 rest of lower flesh ; legs and feet bright yellowish-flesh ; iris 

 black-brown. 



CHARACTERS AND ALLIED FORMS. A. c. minor (north-west India) 

 is a doubtful form. A. sordidus captus (Palestine, Persia, Baluchi- 

 stan) is very similar but larger and the outer tail-feathers, especially 



