192 ANTHUS ARBOREUS. 



of June 1835, the song of a Pipit, which I observed upon the 

 top of a tree, in a plantation in my neighbourhood, attracted 

 my attention. As its notes in variety and sweetness seemed 

 to be superior to those of the Meadow species, I was very an- 

 xious to examine it. I accordingly shot it, and sent it to a 

 friend of mine in Edinburgh, telling him that from its appear- 

 ance and notes I considered it to be the Tree Pipit. He shewed 

 it to some of his ornithological acquaintances, who, as well as 

 himself, firmly maintained that it was but a variety of the 

 Meadow Pipit. Being determined however not to give up 

 my opinion until I was fully convinced of its being incorrect, 

 I paid more attention to these birds than I had formerly done. 

 Having shot a few of each kind, and compared them together, 

 I must acknowledge that I was not now astonished at the opi- 

 nion which my friends had formed, for in the tints, markings, 

 and distribution of their colours, they so closely resembled each 

 other, that one could hardly distinguish them. When mi- 

 nutely compared however they are easily seen to be distinct. 

 The Tree Pipit is larger and heavier, and the claws on the 

 hind toe are much shorter, and more curved than that of the 

 other species, as you will see from the specimens which I have 

 sent you. After a great deal of trouble and research, I at last 

 discovered one of their nests with eggs, Mdiich put an end to 

 all dispute on the subject. Those of the JNIeadow Pipit are 

 closely freckled, sometimes with dark and sometimes with 

 light brown ; those of the Tree Pipit are blotched with deep 

 vinous purple, and ' the ground colour of them partakes of a 

 tint of the same, but much paler."* 



" The Tree Pipits generally make their appearance here about 

 the beginning of May, and frequent the woods. They perch 

 upon the highest branches of a tree, from which they ascend 

 into the air, uttering a twittering note at each extension of the 

 wings. They send forth their song during their descent, which 

 they perform with wings expanded and tail erected, till they 

 again reach the tree, where they continue a short time after 

 perching, and then descend to the ground in the same manner. 

 They generally build their nests in plantations, at the root of a 

 tree, and amongst long grass. It is very difficult to discover 



