Page:VCH Suffolk 1.djvu/222

 A HISTORY OF SUFFOLK of the smaller tits, but the nest is quite un- like that of any other bird. 40. Pied Wagtail. Motacilla /ugubris, Tem- minck. Locally, Washtail or Penny-Wagtail, the latter perhaps from Penelope, like Jenny Wren. In mild winters a few pied wagtails may remain to pass the whole year in Suffolk, but this pretty bird is practically a summer migrant. It is very fond of tennis courts and croquet grounds, where it may often be seen busily engaged in the pursuit of insects. The pied wagtail sometimes uses the old nest of another bird as the foundation of its own, and usually rears two broods in the year. 41. White Wagtail. Motacilla alba, Linn. This bird is the continental form of the pied wagtail, and its migrations extend as far north as Iceland, where it breeds regularly. It is doubtless often seen and not recognized, and may be a regular summer migrant. On more than one occasion it has been known to interbreed in Suffolk with the pied wagtail, while at least one nest has been found of which both the parents were white wagtails. The adult bird is easily recognized by its light grey back, sharply contrasting with the glossy black of the head, but its habits, nest and sparrow-like eggs all resemble those of the more common species. 42. Grey Wagtail. Pallas. Motacilla melanope. A rather rare winter visitant, never breed- ing in the county, though it has been known to do so in Lincolnshire. A wagtail showing any trace of yellow in its plumage which is observed in the winter is certain to belong to this species. 43. Blue-headed Yellow Wagtail. Motacilla Jlava, Linn. A rare summer visitant, which from its habit of frequenting marshes and meadows may easily be overlooked, and if it breeds in the county the nest and eggs cannot be dis- tinquished from those of the yellow wagtail, but the male in full plumage can be recog- nized by the colour of his head. 44. Yellow Wagtail. Motacilla rati (Bona- parte) A summer migrant. Common enough in localities suited to its habits, where it breeds on furze commons, marshes and in rough meadows. The nest is very difficult to find, as the hen steals quietly off her eggs at the approach of an intruder, though in wet cold [84 weather, like most birds, she sometimes sits very closely. 45. Tree-Pipit. Anthus trivialis (Linn.) A common summer migrant, always nesting on the ground, and rearing two broods in the year. The nest is frequently found in hay- fields and on railway banks, and the eggs, with the single exception of the guillemot's, vary more than those of any other British bird. 46. Meadow-Pipit. Anthus pratensis (Linn.) Locally, Tit-lark, a name often given also to the tree-pipit. The great majority of the meadow-pipits which are found in Suffolk are summer migrants, though some remain throughout the year. This species frequents furze commons rather than meadows, and its nest is usually placed on or very near the ground in a low furze bush. The eggs are much duller in tint than those of the tree pipit, and never show any of the red mottling or purple or greenish blotches so often seen in those of that species. 47. Tawny Pipit. Anthus campestris (Linn.) This very rare visitant has occurred once near Lowestoft, where one was caught alive on 2 September, 1889 [Zoologist, 1890, p. 57). Dr. Babington has admitted Richard's pipit [A. richardi) to his Catalogue, as' it has been shot a few times near Yarmouth, and is said to have been once seen near Hadleigh. No Suffolk specimen is known to exist, though there can be little doubt that it has visited the county, and with a view to its fiiture recogni- tion it may be described as the largest pipit known, in size nearly equal to a sky-lark, and possessing a long curved hind claw. 48. Rock-Pipit. Anthus obscurus (Latham) A winter visitant to the coast, where it frequents salt marshes and the muddy banks of tidal rivers. It has never been known to breed in the eastern counties. Two other species of pipit are figured and described in Saunders' Manual, and any bird of this family about which there exists any doubt should be submitted to the inspection of an expert. 49. Golden Oriole. Oriolus galbula, Linn. An occasional spring and summer visitant, more frequently found in east Suffolk than further inland. As it has more than once nested in Kent it is by no means impossible that it might also do so in other counties if the same protection were extended to it, but the brilliant yellow colouring of the cock oriole's