RED-THROATED PIPIT.

Anthus rufogularis, Brehm.

Le Pipit a gorge rou ge.

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Tuis very interesting species of Pipit must be considered rather as a native of India and Africa than of

Europe ; it has nevertheless been killed within the borders of the latter division of the globe, Sicily being, as
we are informed, not unfrequently visited by it. The specimens from which our drawings are taken were sent us
as Sicilian examples by M. Temminck. In size and in the general style of the colouring of the upper surface
this bird exhibits a close resemblance to the Common Pipit of our island, but may be distinguished from that
species and in fact from all the other known members of the group, by the rufous brown of the throat, which
colour frequently proceeds over the chest and abdomen. Of the three specimens forwarded to us, one has
the whole of the under surface of a rich ferruginous brown, another has the throat only of this colour, and
the third has this tint so slightly pervading the under surface as to be scarcely perceptible.

In its habits, manners, and nidification this bird doubtless closely resembles its congeners, but on these
points nothing has as yet been recorded.

The adult in spring has the head, and the whole of the upper surface, wings, and tail blackish brown, each
feather margined with olive brown, which becomes still lighter on the extreme edge; two outer tail-

feathers nearly white ; a stripe over the eye, the throat, and breast rich ferruginous brown, the remainder of
the under surface ferruginous buff, the lower part of the breast and flanks ornamented with oblong spots of

dark blackish brown on the centre of each feather ; bill and feet brown.

The female has all the upper surface similarly marked but of a much lighter tint; the stripe over the eye
and the throat only, rich ferrugimous brown; under tail-coverts buffy white; the remainder of the under
surface pale buffy white with a conspicuous mark of blackish brown down the centre of each feather ; bill and
feet brown.

The young resembles the adult male, but has the light margins of the upper surface not so extensive ; is
destitute of the ferruginous throat; and has the breast and flanks very numerously marked with oblong spots
of dark brown; bill and feet brown.

Our Plate represents male and female of the natural size.

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