100 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
coast; rarer inland, where it is seldom met with except during
winter.
At Harwich it is very common and breeds (Kerry). Mr. Clarke describes it (24) as
' not uncommon in meadows " round Saffron Walden. King describes it (20) as
being " common " at Sudbury, where he says it breeds in the meadows. Lieut. Legge
says (23.9839) that round Shoebury they are "very plentiful, particularly near
the shore." In Epping Forest, Mr. Buxton speaks of it (47. 89) as "only a win-
ter visitant." Round Orsett, it is not common, though it breeds (Sackett). I do
not remember to have met with its nest near Chelmsford. Mr. Hope says it is
very common on the coast at all times of the year, but fresh arrivals take place in
October.
Mr. Pettitt has a light sandy-coloured variety, sent to him anonymously
from the Chelmsford district, about the year 1886, and au albino has been obtained
near Stratford (29. Oct. 19, 1889).
Rock Pipit : Anthus obscurus. Locally " Mudlark."
A common bird on the marshes and saltings on and near our coast
from autumn to spring; but, notwithstanding the following state-
ments by Dr. Bree, I know
of no authentic instance of its
breeding in the county. It
seems probable that the birds
seen on the banks of the
Colne during winter were true
Rock Pipits, but that the birds
breeding on the cliff, which
Dr. Bree mistook for that
species, were really Meadow
Pipits, a species which I know
is now abundant at the spot.
I found it very common on the mudbanks and saltings of the Maldon Estuary
at Christmas, 1888. Round Harwich, however, Mr. Kerry describes it as scarce,
He adds that two in his possession, which were shot on the sea-shore in the autumn,
are the only specimens he has seen there. The Rev. M. C. H. Bird, saw specimens on
Canvey Island, in 1889, as early as September 27th. Mr. Sackett writes me that
when on the Orsett marshes on December 25th, 1888, he shot one "which being
winged and falling into a marsh-pool, he was surprised to see swim readily and
easily." Dr. Maclean, writing from Colchester to T. C. Heysham, about 1835,
says(16) :
" The Rocklarks, which are still upon the mud in this part of the world, are
covered with stumps about the head and neck, and several specimens had scarcely
any feathers upon them. One which had nearly perfected its plumage had a very
rich breast and very different to the autumn plumage. I shall watch their depar-
ture and should much like to know the time of their arrival in their breeding places
and the state of their plumage immediately on their arrival."
Dr. Bree writes (34. 792): "When I first came to Colchester in 1859, Dr.
Maclean, who is a well-known naturalist, put me in possession of the whole ' little
history,' which is very interesting. All through the winter, the banks of the Colne
between Colchester and the sea are occupied by the Rock Pipit, and Dr. Maclean es-