114 VERTEBRATE FAUNA OF LAKELAND 



near Appleby that I first found out that this Pipit sings as 

 merrily on the ground as when sporting on the wing. It is 

 pretty to watch a slender Pipit so engaged, threading its way 

 furtively through the stems of the thin hay crop, while pouring 

 forth in snatches a volume of sweet melody. 



RICHARD'S PIPIT. 



Anthus rlchardi, Vieill. 



Mr. H. P. Senhouse possesses an interleaved copy of Yarrell's 

 British Birds, in which the late Mr. W. Dickinson entered a 

 description of two examples of this Pipit which he had met 

 with. He has also left on record a statement in print : ' In the 

 spring of 1843, as I was engaged in the enclosure of the exten- 

 sive commons of Castlerigg and Derwentwater, it was necessary 

 to travel over and examine every portion of the surface ; and 

 whilst on the upper range of Barrow Side, I noticed a pair of 

 strange birds wandering about on the stony ground. They 

 appeared of the size and figure of the Skylarks. By a little 

 cautious manoeuvring I got within about thirty yards, when 

 they arose and flew off a hundred yards or so. By walking off 

 and not seeming to notice them, I again came near enough to 

 see their pink legs and long hind claws, and to know they were 

 larks of a species I had not seen or heard of. They did not 

 appear alarmed, and I retired and rounded again. They did not 

 crouch as our lark does, but stood upright or ran on a little 

 before flying ; and not wishing to disturb them, I left and saw 

 them no more. Their general colour was nearly like that of our 

 Skylark, only a little paler, and their figure was a trifle less 

 bulky, but longer. No crest was visible, and no note heard. 

 On since referring to Morris's Plates, I have no doubt of their 

 being that very rare British visitant, Richard's Pipit.' x There 

 can be no doubt that this large Pipit occasionally straggles to 

 Lakeland — indeed, I am satisfied that it has occurred on the fly- 

 line of the English Solway in three recent instances. In April 

 1889, Mr. Richard Mann and his brother, Mr. Tom Mann, 

 1 Rem. West Cumberland, p. 14. 



