322 



MUSEUM OF ANIMATED NATURE. 



[Wahblers. 



1448, 1450 (a).— The Meadow-Pipit 

 (AntJms pratensis). The pipits, often termed tit- 

 larks, form a small yet well-characterised group of 

 Sylviadae, having the plumage and long hind claws 

 of the true larks, but the slender bills of the wag- 

 tails ; they have only a remote affinity to the larks 

 which belong to the conirostral tribe; lor though, 

 as Mr Svvainson observes, they are the analogues of 

 the latter in the dentirostral tribe, we are not pre- 

 pared to admit that this analogy becomes trans- 

 muted into positive relationship. 



The meadow-pipit may be regarded as the re- 

 presentative of the skylark (Fig. 1450, c, Skylarks 

 and Nest), and like that bird it pours out its song 

 at a great elevation in the air, rising on tremulous 

 wings, and then descending smoothly to the ground, 

 or to the top of some low bush, to its mate, for 

 whose gratification its strains were uttered. Some- 

 times the meadow-pipit sings on the earth, but gene- 

 rally utters its soft musical notes in the air. This 

 bird is very extensively distributed over Europe, and 

 is common in the British Islands, remaining with us 

 throughout the year. It frequents hilly districts, 

 open commons, meadows, and even marsh lands ; 

 and runs over the grassy turf with great, celerity ; 

 when on a clod or stone, it frequently vibrates the 

 tail, in the manner of the wagtail, and likewise gives 

 chace to insects, on which it feeds, as well as on 

 slugs and worms. In September and October, after 

 the general moult, these birds associate in small 

 flocks, resorting to turnip-fields ; and in severe 

 weather to the shelter of hedge-banks and low pas- 

 tures. 



The nest is made on the ground under the covert 

 of a tuft of grass, and is composed of dried bents 

 and fibres, with a lining of finer materials and 

 hairs. The eggs, five or six in number, are of a 

 reddish brown, spotted with darker markings. 



The meadow-pipit is about six inches in length. 

 The hind claw (Fig. 1448, a) is long and slender. 

 ' The general colour of the plumage is dark oil-green, 

 with the centre of every leather brownish black ; 

 under parts yellow ash' white, spotted with dark 

 brown on the sides of the neck and breast, and 

 . streaked with the same on the flanks. 



1449.— The Tree-Pipit 



(Anilms arborens). This species, which may be re- 

 garded as the analogue of the woodlark, Alauda 

 arborea (Fig. 1450, b), differs from the meadow- 

 pipit in being rather larger ; with the beak stouter, 

 the spots on the breast fewer and longer, and the 

 claw of the hind toe much shorter and thicker (see 

 foot, Fig. 1440, a). Its habits are also different. It 

 is only a summer visitor to our island, arriving 

 towards the end of April, and taking up its abode in 

 copses, and well-wooded enclosures. The male then 

 commences his song of invitation, which is superior 

 to that of the meadow-pipit in compass, variety, and 

 sweetness. This he utters either perched on the top 

 of a tree, or in the air ; in the latter case he rises on 

 quivering wings to an elevation about as high again 

 as the tree whence he started ; and then, at this 

 . altitude, poises his wings, spreads and elevates his 

 tail, and slowly descends, singing all the while, to 

 the station from which he had previously arisen. 

 During his ascent he never sings, but sometimes 

 utters a chirp. Rarely does this species alight upon 

 the ground without previously perching on a tree : 

 and after leaving the ground, it wings its way to a 

 tree before commencing a more lengthened flight. 

 The nest is placed on the ground, and is formed of 

 moss, fibres, and withered grass, lined with bents 

 and hairs. The eggs are generally of a greyish 

 white, clouded and spotted with purple-brown or 

 purple-red, but their colour is variable. 



The winter quarters of the tree-pipit are probably 

 the northern and western portions of Africa ; it is 

 found in Madeira, and also in Japan, having a wider 

 range of habitat. 



1451. — The Stonechat 



(Saxicola ruUcola). Traquet rubicole of the French, 

 Saltabastone, Zomya-cardi, and Saltinpalo of the 

 Italians. Schwarzkehliger Steinschmatzer of the 

 Germans, Clochder y cerrig of the ancient British, 

 Stonechatter, Stonesmith, Moor-titling, &c, provin- 

 cial English. 



Selby states that, unlike the whinchat and the 

 wheatear, the stonechat is stationary in our country 

 throughout the year ; but this is not quite correct ; 

 for though some few individuals may remain through 

 the winter months, the general body quit the British 

 islands in autumn, and return in spring. Moorlands, 

 wide commons, and open tracts are their favourite 

 haunts ; and they flit from stone to stone, or bush to 

 bush, without intermission, giving chace to insects, 

 and continually uttering a clicking note, compared 

 by Buffon to the word " Ou'istrata." The male sings 

 a'short but agreeable strain, generally while on the 

 wing, hovering over, the furze or brambles. The 

 nest, which is of large size, is placed under the 



covert of a bush or tuft of herbage ; and is composed 

 of moss and grass, lined with bents, hairs, and fea- 

 thers. The eggs are of a pale blue, with a slightly 

 grey tint, and finely dotted at the large end with pale 

 reddish brown. 



This species is spread over the whole of tempe- 

 rate Europe, and is found also in India and Africa. 

 The male has the head and throat black; the sides 

 of the neck, the upper part of the wings, and rump 

 white ; breast orange-brown ; the rest of the under 

 surface white tinged with yellow : the back black, 

 the feathers edged with yellowish brown ; wings 

 brownish black, the feathers with paler edges; bill 

 and legs black. In winter the black feathers of the 

 head and throat are edged with yellowish brown, 

 which disappears as the spring advances. 



The lower figure is a male, the upper a female. 



1452. — The Redstart 



(Phamicura ruticiUa). This is the Corossolo, Co- 

 drisso, and Culorosso of the Italians: Rossignol de 

 murailles of the French; Schwarzkehliger Sanger of 

 the Germans ; Gekraagde Roodstart of the Nether- 

 landers ; Rodstjert of the Swedes ; Roedstiert of the 

 Danes ; Blodfugl of the Norwegians ; Rhone!! goch 

 of the ancient British. 



This bird, which is generally dispersed over Eu- 

 rope, is one of our summer visitors, arriving in our 

 island about the middle of April, and leaving early 

 in September. 



The redstart is sprightly in its movements, and 

 beautiful in its form and colouring, the black, white, 

 grey, and flame colours which ornament its plumage 

 being conjoined with a graceful contour. It darts 

 at passing insects with great address, accompanying 

 every action with a vibrating motion of the tail, 

 which is continued for several seconds on alighting. 

 In its habits it is by no means recluse or shy; it 

 frequents gardens, orchards, and groves, building in 

 a hole of the wall, between the branch of a fruit- 

 tree and the wall, under the cover of luxuriant ivy 

 in a tool-shed, or other outbuilding. The nest con- 

 sists of moss, lined with hairs and feathers ; the eggs 

 are greenish blue. The male utters a soft sweet 

 warble, while sitting on some low branch or other 

 perch, his tail vibrating at the same time ; and nei- 

 ther this vibration nor his song ceases as he flits 

 off to a more attractive station. In captivity the 

 redstart is said to become very tame. 



The colouring of the male is as follows : — Fore- 

 head pure white, a small band on the root of the 

 bill ; space between that and the eye, the throat, and 

 upper part of the neck, deep black ; head and upper 

 part of the back bluish ash ; quill-feathers blackish ; 

 the breast, sides, rump, and. lateral tail-feathers 

 brilliant ruddy or flame-red; two middle tail-fea- 

 thers brown ; abdomen whitish. The female is of 

 a uniform greyish brown, with the exception of the 

 tail, which is dull rufous. Lower figure, a male; 

 upper, a female. 



1453. — The Dartford Warbler 

 (Melizophilus provincialis, Leach). Pette-chou de 

 Provence of the French ; Magnanini of Cavi ; and 

 Provenser sanger of Meyer. 



This warbler is found in the countries of Europe 

 bordering the Mediterranean. It is comparatively 

 rare in Germany and Holland. In England it is a 

 permanent resident, but not generally diffused. 

 It is frequent in the neighbourhood of London ; 

 and occurs in Berkshire, Cornwall, and Devonshire. 

 It was first noticed as a British bird by Dr. Latham 

 in the year 1773, who procured a pair from Bexley 

 Heath, near Dartford in Kent, whence its trivial 

 English name. 



The Dartford Warbler is scarcely larger than a 

 wren in the bulk of its body, but appears superior 

 in size from the great length of its tail. In its habits 

 and manners it is extremely shy and recluse, con- 

 cealing itself in thick furze-brakes and tangled 

 heath ; and well does it know every labyrinth and 

 every hiding-place of each bush or bed of furze on 

 the breezy common where it takes up its abode. 

 Mr. Gould observes that its form closely allies it 

 to the superb warblers (Malurus) of New Holland, 

 while its relationship to the common white-throat is 

 strikingly apparent. With reference to its secluded 

 habits, the same author observes that in the spring 

 it becomes more lively and frequently visible, rising 

 on quivering wing above the tops of the furze, and 

 uttering a hurried babbling song much after the 

 manner of the white-throat ; at these times it erects 

 the feathers of the head into a crest, and distends 

 the throat, exhibiting many attitudes and gesticula- 

 tions. 



Its nest, which is concealed in the very heart of a 

 thick furze-bush not far from the ground, consists of 

 grass, fibres, and fine roots ; the "eggs are greenish 

 white, with brown speckles and greyish spots. 



All the upper parts of the plumage are fine deep 

 grey ; tail blackish brown, the outer feathers tipped 

 with white ; throat, breast, and sides, of the colour 

 of red-wine-iees ; abdomen white. Quill-feathers 



ash-coloured externally, but with the inner barbs 

 black. Length five inches. The tints of the female 

 are duller than those of the male, and the throat is 

 much more spotted. The lower figure a male, the 

 upper a female. 



1454. — The Yellow-crowned Warbler, 

 or Myrtle Bird 

 (Si/lvicola coronata). This species is one of the mi- 

 gratory warblers of North America, arriving in the 

 middle and northern states of the Union from the 

 south about the end of April, and passing north- 

 wards to breed ; in August it returns and stays till 

 November, when it moves southwards. At this 

 season myrtle-wax berries (Myrica cerifera) and 

 those of the Virginian juniper, with a few insects, are 

 its chief food. In the southern states considerable 

 numbers congregate, frequenting during the cold 

 season the swamps and sheltered groves of the 

 sea coast. In fine weather, and the early part of 

 October, they are often seen collecting moths and 

 grasshoppers in the meadows, or darting from a 

 perch after insects, in the manner of fly-catchers ; 

 they are ever in motion, hovering amidst the cedars 

 and myrtles, and only rest when satisfied with food. 

 Their ordinary note is a feeble chirp, but during the 

 spring the male utters at short intervals in the 

 morning a sweet varied and rather plaintive warble, 

 resembling the autumnal strain of our redbreast. 

 At this season they frequent groves, orchards, and 

 gardens, and feed upon insects and caterpillars, for 

 which they search with unwearied industry. The 

 length of this species is about six inches. The 

 plumage in summer is of a dark slate-colour streaked 

 with black, beneath white; breast spotted with 

 black ; the top of the head, the sides, and the rump 

 yellow ; wings with two white bars ; tail black, the 

 three lateral tail-feathers spotted with white. In 

 winter the feathers are edged with brownish olive, 

 and the yellow on the crown is partly concealed by 

 a margin of this tint. 



1455. — The White-fronted Ephthianura 

 (Ephthianura albifrons, Gould). This is an example 

 of the Australian warblers: it is found at Swan 

 River and in New South Wales, as well as on the 

 small islands in Bass's Straits, where it was observed 

 by Mr. Gould, who informs us that it is very sprightly 

 and active, particularly, he adds, " the male, whose 

 white throat and banded chest render him much 

 more conspicuous than the sombre-coloured female. 

 As the structure of its toes and lengthened tertiaries 

 would lead us to expect, its natural province is the 

 ground, to which it habitually resorts, and decidedly 

 evinces a preference to spots of a sterile and barren 

 character. The male, like many of the saxicoiine 

 birds, frequently perches either on the summit of a 

 stone, or on the extremity of a dead and leafless 

 branch. It is rather shy in its'disposition, and when 

 disturbed flies off with considerable rapidity to the 

 distance of two or three hundred yards before it 

 alights again. I observed it in small companies on 

 the plains near Adelaide, over the hard clayey sur- 

 face of which it tripped with amazing quickness, 

 with a motion that can neither be described as a hop 

 or a run, but something between the two, with a 

 bobbing action of the tail." Of its nidifiealion no- 

 thing is known. 



Family MERULID^E (THRUSHES). 

 This family contains many genera, which accord- 

 ing to their mutual affinities may be arranged in 

 minor groups, or subfamilies, according to the 

 views of the naturalist who analyses them. 



In placing under this title, Merulidse, the Thrushes 

 and Blackbirds, or Ouzels, the Pettae and others, we 

 follow the arrangement of Mr. Vigors, aware at the 

 same time that some naturalists have collected the 

 thrushes under a distinct family head, but we think 

 on questionable grounds. We will not, however, 

 discuss the point, but direct at once attention to our 

 pictorial examples. 



1450 (c).— The Song-Thrush 

 (Turdus musicus). Grive and Petite Grive of the 

 French ; Tordo and Tordo Botaccio of the Italians ; 

 Sing-drossel and Weiss-drossel of the Germans ; 

 Throstle or Mavis, provincial English ; Aderyn Bron- 

 fraith of the ancient British. 



This splendid songster is common over the greater 

 portion of Europe, being migratory in Norway, 

 Sweden, and the northern districts, but stationary 

 in our island, and in France, Italy, and other parts 

 of the south. As the winter advances, flights of 

 thrushes arrive in Great Britain with a north or 

 north-east wind, and, after staying a few days to re- 

 cruit, move southwards. 



The thrush is a hardy bird, and begins to enliven 

 the woods and glens with his rich-toned notes even 

 as early as the month of January if the season be 

 temperate ; and pairs, and commences the work of 

 nidification in March. The nest is generally in a 

 thick bush, amidst clustering ivy. or closely-tangled 



