256 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



Remarks on Anthus cervinus in Sussex.— -Owing to absence in the 

 North of Ireland, I have only just read Mr. Ruskin Butterfield's note 

 (p. 193). As he challenges my assertion that I could easily detect the 

 specimen of Anthus cervinus amongst a flock of autumn-plumaged Anthus 

 pratensis in the field, a few words in reply are necessary. Mr. Butterfield 

 seems surprised that I did not make special mention of the fact that the 

 specimen in my possession is the only one in autumn or winter plumage 

 which has been met with in Great Britain ; such a statement, however, 

 would have been superfluous, for two previous examples only are on record, 

 and in each case the period of the year when they were procured is well 

 known. I have glanced again at my winter-plumaged A. cervinus, and 

 compared it side by side with winter-plumaged A. pratensis, and cannot 

 withdraw in any degree whatever from the assertion I made (supra, p. 101). 

 The pale and very distinct cream-coloured stripes down the back, as well as 

 on the crown, accompanied as they are by the bold blackish stripes ; the 

 generally pale coloration of the sides of the head, with the rufous tinge per- 

 vading, and the narrow stripes of black down the breast, are characteristics 

 which at once distinguish the bird from the winter-plumaged A. pratensis. 

 Wild birds arrange their feathers with a neatness and order which the 

 most skilful taxidermist would find it difficult to imitate, and I do not 

 hesitate to say that the most skilfully prepared skins, and probably the 

 bulk of mounted specimens of either A. cervinus ox A. pratensis have an 

 untidy, disarranged appearance, which make them quite unlike the living 

 originals. This observation has special reference to birds which have either 

 dark or light tips to their feathers on the head, back, or breast. Taking 

 the Pipits as an example, it will be found that in most cabinet specimens — 

 and I am sorry to say in most illustrations too — the dark tips to the feathers 

 are made to look like spots over the back or breast. But look at the living 

 wild bird, and you will find that these dark tips to the feathers are arranged 

 with such perfect order and regularity one over the other that they form 

 clearly defined stripes and not spots. This is important when making a 

 comparison between the winter-plumaged A. cervinus and A. pratensis, for, 

 with its feathers neatly arranged in their proper order, the stripes of 

 A. cervinus show far more distinctly and boldly than do those of A. pratensis. 

 But if a skin or carelessly mounted specimen be used for comparison, the 

 points of difference in most cases are obscured and identification becomes 

 difficult. I have remounted the A. cervinus since I have had it in my 

 possession, for I am very careful to show these distinctive stripes in all 

 specimens in my collection. The remounting has so altered the appearance 

 of the bird, and brought out its special features so prominently, that if 

 Mr. Butterfield were to see it now, he would perhaps scarcely recognise it, 

 but would see at a glance how materially it differs from an autumn-plumaged 

 A. pratensis mounted in exactly the same style, and placed side by side 



