THE RED-THROATED PIPIT. 

 Anthus cervinus (Pallas). 

 Plate 12. 



The first authentic occurrence of the Red-throated Pipit was one obtained on 

 Unst, Shetlands, in 1854, and not identified until many years afterwards. Two 

 other supposed examples, one captured near Brighton in March 1884, and the 

 other shot at Rainham, Kent, in April, 1880, are now considered to be only 

 brightly-coloured specimens of the Meadow-Pipit (Witherby's British Birds, 

 vol. ii. p. 278). 



A number of undoubted examples, however, have since been noted. 



In summer the Red-throated Pipit inhabits the far north of Europe and Asia, 

 wintering in India, China, and North Africa. 



Seebohm found it plentiful in Siberia, and describes the nest as being "placed 

 in recesses on the sides of the tussocky ridges which intersect the bogs," and 

 " entirely made of dry grass, the coarser pieces being used for the foundation and 

 the finest reserved for the lining." According to Mr. Dresser {Manual of PalcB- 

 arctic Birds, p. 214) : " The eggs vary considerably, some having the ground colour 

 greenish grey, others brown, some are rich reddish-brown, the colour of old 

 mahogany, others dull brown, and others again greenish grey, closely spotted with 

 brown, and I have seen some with large brown scratches like those on the eggs 

 of the Lapland Bunting." 



The food is similar to the Meadow-Pipit's, but it has a finer song than that 

 species. 



In the female the reddish-chestnut colour is confined to the throat, and does 

 not extend to the breast, as in the male. 



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