YOUNG CUCKOO AND MEADOW PIPIT. 



less bipeds who, for the mammon of unrighteousness, voluntari 

 undertake a like office. 



Pipits generally lay four speckled brown and white eggs ; 

 there is a fifth, it is suspected by the natives here to be that 

 a Cuckoo which suspicion I have not found verified. 



Though not so very numerous as the Meadow Pipit, tl 

 Rock Pipit (Antlms obscurus) is common here. I once found 

 nest among some low rocks on our island, near the shore, 

 contained some fledged young ones not yet able to fly. Th< 

 seemed in great terror, as a huge black slug had invaded tl 

 nest ; with what intent I know not, but probably for no goo 

 for it is carnivorous, as well as a devourer of carrion. I made 

 sketch of the scene on the spot ; having done that, and havii 

 no time to wait, I cast out the intruder, to the great relief of tl 

 nestlings, but with my curiosity unsatisfied. 



I have only once seen a Tree Pipit here. It was brought 

 by the house cat. It was of a dull dark brown, darker in coloi 

 and clumsier in shape than the Meadow Pipit. 



112 



