l6o CATALOGUE OF BIRDS. 



In regard to the nest, I quote Mr. W. Swaysland: 

 "It is commonly built of dry grass, lined with 

 fine fibres of grass and moss and a little hair ; 

 it is found upon the ground, under a tuft of grass or 

 on the bank of a field, or on the side of a railway 

 cutting, and not uncommonly upon the beach under 

 some dried weeds. Four or five eggs are laid, 

 which are light brown, much mottled with a darker 

 shade, especially near the larger end." This species 

 has a very wide distribution abroad, embracing 

 three Continents. The specimens in the case were 

 shot in some grass fields near the seashore by Bar- 

 mouth in the winter season. 



The Tree-Pipit. 



This species is migratory, arriving in our country 

 early in April, and departing again in September or 

 October. 



From what I can gather, it is not so abundant or 

 so generally distributed in the British Isles as the 

 Meadow-Pipit, being, however, fairly well distributed 

 in England, but only partial in Scotland, not very com- 

 mon in Wales, and practically unknown in Ireland. 

 It is found — as the name would imply — more in 

 localities where there is plenty of woodland. One 

 summer, when in North Wales, I watched several of 

 these little birds in breeding-season. The male bird 

 at such times generally selects a tree near where the 

 hen is sitting on the nest, and seems to be in a con- 

 stant state of soaring up into the sky from its perch 



