406 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



but the habits and song are totally distinct. The Meadow-Pipit was 

 plentiful enough in the lower portions of this valley, and was in song ; 

 but I found this bird only amongst the trees, and did not once see it 

 on the ground. While searching, I came across a very curious nest, 

 and deeply regret now that I did not bring it away with me ; but I 

 could not determine at the time whether it was an unfinished one, or 

 disused. It was constructed entirely of grass-stems, and was placed 

 about a foot from the ground, on the top of a tangled mass of twisted 

 birch-scrub. The only other small birds breeding in this forest were 

 Hornemann's Eedpoll and the Eedwing-Thrush. The nest did not 

 belong to either of those birds ; indeed, it looked like nothing but a 

 Pipit's nest, although in such a singular situation. At this place I 

 found a very intelligent young man, who appeared to take great interest 

 in the birds, and he gave me, through Sigurdur, some very interesting 

 notes about Hornemann's Eedpoll. He took me to see a nest of young 

 Pipits ; it was placed on the side of a bank just as were other Meadow- 

 Pipits' nests I had found ; he was very anxious for Sigurdur to make 

 me understand that it was the nest of the [/round Titlingur, which led 

 me to think that he knew of some other kind of Titlingur. I was 

 forced to hurry away from this valley, but arranged to return and 

 thoroughly investigate the question of this interesting little bird; but, 

 alas ! my plans miscarried, and I had not the opportunity to follow up 

 my inquiries. 



I have recently submitted the only two specimens of this bird which 

 I brought back to Dr. Bowdler Sharpe, who, after much consideration, 

 was inclined to regard them as new, but wished me to convey his 

 views to Dr. Hartert at Tring, and ascertain whether there were any 

 specimens in the Brehm collection like them. We went through the 

 collection, and certainly found some wretched old specimens which did 

 approach them in some features, but, just as certainly, we found 

 nothing quite like them. However, Dr. Hartert determined that the 

 external characteristics of my birds were not sufficiently distinct to 

 form a good diagnosis. I admit this, and admire Dr. Hartert for his 

 caution ; but in a class of birds like the Pipits, which so closely 

 resemble each other in plumage, surely something else must be taken 

 into consideration ; and I was certainly surprised that he attached no 

 importance to the difference in song and habits, I always thought 

 this was of vital importance ; if it is not, how can we separate Marsh- 

 Warbler from Eeed- Warbler, or Chiflchafif from Willow- Wren ? I 

 have set forth these facts fully, as I am far from being convinced ; 

 and if I, or others, again penetrate to the remote spot in Iceland where 



