RICHARD'S SPURRED PIPIT (_Corydalla Richardii_).--The mantle of this
species is of a dull brown, each feather having a light edge; the region
of the cheeks, a stripe over the eye, and the entire under side are
yellowish white, shaded with grey upon the breast; the sides of the
throat are white, decorated with oval, dark brown spots; the centre
quills are greyish brown, broadly shaded with light reddish grey on
the inner web; the outer web of the first quill is almost white, the
rest shade gradually into reddish yellow; the middle tail-feathers are
brownish black, the others, like those of the wing, become gradually
lighter, the outer feathers being nearly entirely white. The summer
plumage is deeper in tint, and the edgings to the feathers more clearly
defined than at other seasons. The eye is brown, the upper mandible dark
brown, the lower one yellow towards its base; the feet are yellowish
brown. This bird is from seven inches and a half to eight inches long,
and twelve inches and a half broad; the wing measures three inches and
four-fifths, and the tail three inches and a quarter.
The Spurred Pipits frequent Great Britain, Spain, France, Italy, Austria,
Greece, and Sardinia, but are never seen in large numbers; they are also
occasionally found in Heligoland; and Jerdon informs us that during
the winter they are met with in the Himalayas, Bengal, Nepaul, Ceylon,
Burmah, and other parts of India; at the latter season, according to
Swinhoe, they are also numerous in Central China. We ourselves have
never succeeded in finding the true Corydalla in either Spain or Africa.
Marshes, boggy districts, and the grassy margins of ponds or streams,
are the localities to which they resort. Jerdon tells us that they
particularly frequent rice-fields, always associating in small parties.
Their flight is light, graceful, and undulating. The nest, which is very
flat, and placed in a hollow or hole in the ground, is formed of stalks
woven together with fibres. The eggs, usually laid about May, are oval,
glossy, and of a delicate blueish white, spotted with blueish grey,
yellowish brown, or dark brown, and occasionally spotted and streaked
with brownish grey; they much resemble those of the Meadow or Rock Pipit.
We learn from Jerdon that a large number of these birds are sold in the
markets of Calcutta, and passed off as Ortolans.
This species was first found in England by N. Vigors, Esq., in 1812,
since which time a few other specimens have been seen in different parts
of the island. According to Yarrell, "The habits of the Spurred Pipit--as
far as the peculiarities of so rare a bird can be known, for it is
equally scarce on the Continent--are said to be very similar to those
of other Pipits. It is mostly observed on the ground, frequenting old
pastures, where it stands very high and runs with facility, waving the
tail up and down, with a gentle airy motion, like that observed in the
Wagtails, while its long hind claw, but slightly curved, connects it with
the Larks; it has, like them, an agreeable song."
* * * * *
The WAGTAILS (_Motacillæ_) are readily distinguished from the Pipits by
the comparative slenderness of their shape; their legs are high and thin,
the wings of medium size, the third quill longer than the rest, and the
secondaries scarcely longer than the primaries; the tail is very long,
composed of narrow feathers, and often forked at its extremity. The beak
is slender, straight, and awl-shaped, with a ridge at its culmen, and
slightly incised at its tip. The plumage is much variegated, differs
somewhat according to the sexes, and is twice moulted.
The various members of this family inhabit the eastern hemisphere, and
within its limits are met with in every latitude; most species prefer
the immediate vicinity of water, but some few often seek their food in
comparatively arid situations, returning, however, within a few hours
to their usual haunts. The movements of the Wagtails are characterised
by considerable liveliness and grace, they are neither so hurried nor
so rapid as those of the Pipits. Upon the ground they generally walk
with a thoughtful, deliberate bearing, bowing the head at each step,
and agitating the tail so incessantly as to entitle them to the name by
which they are commonly known. Their flight is light and undulatory,
being produced by a rapid opening and closing of the wings, and their
song, though by no means powerful, is simple and pleasing. Flies,
beetles, and larvæ of all kinds afford them their principal means of
subsistence; these they not only seek upon the ground, but pursue them
to a considerable distance through the air. The northern species migrate
as far as Central Africa and India; others only wander somewhat farther
south, but few remain throughout the entire year in their native land.
The nest, which is carelessly formed of twigs, roots, straw, grass, moss,
and dry leaves, is lined internally with wool, or some similar material,
and is constructed in holes or hollows in the vicinity of water; if
no stream or pond is at hand, a mere pool will often satisfy the
requirements of the building pairs. The eggs have a thin, finely-spotted,
light grey shell. The nestlings, when first fledged, entirely differ from
the parents in their appearance.
Most species of Wagtail exhibit a decided predilection for the immediate
neighbourhood of man, whose favour they almost invariably obtain by their
confiding and lively disposition.