160 BIRDS. 



the Highlands, and quite unknown in Ireland. On Octo- 

 ber 2, 1892, I saw flocks of these birds, with other small 



* Tree- birds, on the cliffs east of Dover. Like many 

 Pipit. migrants, the tree-pipit is exceedingly caprici- 

 ous in its change of breeding-area. Thus I did not find 

 a single nest near Dartford Heath in either 1886 or 1888, 

 whereas in the intervening summer I took no fewer than 

 seven. The meadow-pipit, on the other hand, was plenti- 

 ful in 1888, but I found one nest only, and that deserted, 

 in 1886. These details seem almost too trivial to insert 

 without apology ; but I cannot help thinking that the 

 laws of migration might, for the summer visitors at any 

 rate, be worked out more satisfactorily by carefully com- 

 piled records of the nests in each season than by the more 

 rough-and-ready method of powder and shot. 



The tree-pipit is, even after its partial spring moult, no 

 striking bird, the long tail suggesting, especially when the 

 bird is on the wing, the appearance of a lark, an impression 

 strengthened by the habit of trilling while in the air. It 

 feeds on insects and seeds, and, according to Dixon, on 

 wheat. The nest, built on arrival, is placed on the ground. 

 It is of grass lined with fine grass and hair. Sometimes 

 it is in a shallow depression smoothed by the birds. Er/gs, 

 6, about 4 inch ; dull blue or grey, spotted all over with 

 brown. I found one year two clutches with a zone of 

 spots round the larger end only, and two cloudy blotches 

 near the centre. 



A partly resident, partly migratory pipit, the ]\Ieadov>'- 

 Pipit is often spoken of as restricted and local in its dis- 

 Meadow- tribution, though I have taken its eggs near 

 Pipit. Bexley, Dover, Richmond, and Bournemouth. 



It is widely known as the "Titlark," and is characterised 

 by a peculiar smell. Its distinguishing marks are a white 

 line over the eye and some light spots or patches on the 

 tail. Its food consists of insects, snails, and seeds. The 



