THE TREE PIPIT 151 



wanders from a particular haunt during the entire 

 summer when once it has settled down to nesting 

 duties. We have often known a pair of birds to 

 frequent one small field for several months In suc- 

 cession. Upon the ground this Pipit is a very active 

 and nimble little creature, running to and fro in 

 Wagtail-like manner. It is not at all social during 

 the entire breeding season, but after the young are 

 hatched the birds wander about in family parties, 

 and as the migration time draws nigh more gregari- 

 ous instincts are manifested. 



The most noteworthy feature about the Tree Pipit 

 is its song and the actions pertaining thereto. Were 

 it not for its song, and the peculiar manner in which 

 it is uttered, this bird would often be overlooked. 

 In fact the Tree Pipit is most readily identified by its 

 habit of soaring into the air from a tree-top, singing 

 as it goes, and after flying for some distance return- 

 ing to the original starting-place. This song flight 

 Is taken nearly perpendicularly at first, then becomes 

 nearly horizontal In Its general direction but in a series 

 of curves, the bird floating and hovering and at last 

 returning with tail and wings expanded and almost 

 motionless, back to the starting-place like a shuttle- 

 cock. The whole time this flight is In progress the 

 bird has been warbling a melodious song, a rapid 

 succession of clear loud notes, followed, as the song 

 and flight draw to a close, by a prolonged and 

 plaintive double note. Early In the season the Tree 



