BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



Hlpinc pipit 



59 



IOHN DUNCAN 



THE Alpine Pipit (Anthus spipoletta, Linnaeus) is a rare 

 irregular autumn migrant to the British Isles. It nests in 

 the mountain regions of Central Europe, also in parts of 

 Spain ; and on migration occurs in other portions of Europe, 

 passing the winter in Northern Africa. The adult male in 

 summer is olive-brown above ; paler on rump ; feathers of 

 upper parts, darker in centre ; eye-stripe, creamy-white ; 

 wings and tail, dark brown, margined with paler ; the outer- 

 most tail-feathers, mostly white : chin, centre of abdomen, 

 and under tail-coverts, pale ochreous-white ; remainder of 

 under parts, pale buff tinged with chestnut; flanks, olive- 

 brown ; irides, dark brown ; bill, blackish, paler beneath ; 

 legs and feet, blackish. Length, about six inches. 



