TREE PIPIT. 191 



Habits. — The Tree Pipit, which although almost precisely- 

 similar to the Meadow Pipit in form and colouring, is readily 

 distinguishable by the inferior elongation and greater curvature 

 of its hind claw, and the pale greyish-yellow tint of its tarsi, 

 toes, and claws, is a migratory species, appearing in England 

 about the 20th of April, and in the south of Scotland in the 

 beginning of May. It has been observed in most of the southern, 

 western, and midland counties of the former country ; more 

 rarely in the northern districts. In Scotland it was, in so far 

 as I know, first observed by Mr Weir, who found it in Lin- 

 lithgowshire in 1833. I have in my collection a specimen ob- 

 tained in the neighbourhood of Edinburgh, in the summer of 

 1835 ; and another in a recent state, which had been shot near 

 Dalkeith, on the 21st June 1836, was given to me by Mr 

 Carfrae. 



This species does not frequent the heaths and open grassy 

 pastures, which are the favourite places of abode of the Meadow 

 Pipit in summer ; but is found in the cultivated parts in the 

 vicinity of woods and thickets. Its song, which is of the same 

 lively character, but mellower, more modulated, and longer 

 continued, is given out during its descent from an elevation of 

 from twenty to thirty yards, during which it flutters with ex- 

 panded wings and tail. Sometimes also it sings while perched 

 on a tree, and more frequently while descending from one to 

 the ground. The song continues until the middle of July. 



The nest, which is placed among the grass, in a wood, or 

 near its margin, is similar to that of the Meadow Pipit, being 

 composed of dry grass, lined with finer blades, and having the 

 interior of hair. One in my possession is bulky and rather 

 rudely constructed, externally composed of stalks and blades of 

 grass, together with moss, internally of finer grasses, rather 

 neatly arranged. Its internal diameter three inches, the walls 

 one inch thick. The eggs, four or five in number, are greyish 

 or purplish-white, or flesh-colour, marked with spots and 

 blotches of dark red or purplish-brown, and average in length 

 nine-twelfths of an inch, in breadth seven-twelfths. 



Mr Weir has favoured me with the following account of the 

 species, as observed in West Lothian. " About the beginning 



