Talbot : The Biebs of Wakefield. 



121 



so as to distinguish it from the shorter arched one of the Tree 

 Pipit. These remarks have been confirmed by me and many- 

 observers every season since the above date ; this very morning 

 a Meadow Pipit rose singing from a field to a tree, sang while 

 on the branch, then continued its song to the ground. I was 

 curious to verify its singing on a tree, as the Tree Pipit more 

 frequently does." 



Meadow Pipit fAnthus pratensis J — 



Breeds abundantly in this neighbourhood ; many of them 

 staying with us through the winter. 



ALAUDID^. 



Skylaek i^Alauda arvensis) — 



Is very plentiful all the year round. I have seen its nest with 

 eggs in, as early as the 7th April. 



Wood Lark {Alaiida arhored) — ^ 



In the winter of 1856 Mr. Firth shot at a flock of skylarks 

 which had settled in a seed-field at Wilbeck ; he killed several 

 birds, and among them he found three wood larks, two of which 

 he had preserved by Mr. Wright. 



EMBEEIZID^. 



Snow Bunting {PledrophaTies nivalis) — 



Is an occasional winter visitor. I have a pair in my collection 

 which were shot in January, 1857, in a field adjoining the 

 Wakefield cattle market. Several killed in this neighbourhood 

 since the above date, have passed through my hands. 



Bunting {Emberlza miliaria) — 



Breeds regularly in this district ; as a rule it chooses to nest in 

 mowing grass, and selects a place usually from ten to fifteen 

 yards from the side of the field. I have in my possession two 

 varieties of its eggs, pure white, found in a nest near my house. 



Blackheaded Bunting {Emheriza scJmniclus) — 



May be seen on the banks of any of the streams ; I have 

 frequently met with its nest, and when close upon hatching one 

 may approach so near as to place his hand upon the bird before 

 it takes to flight. As a general rule I have found that the male 

 takes an important part in incubation. 



