THE MEADOW PIPIT. 175 



bird is more generally diffused, and the nests of both species, 

 constructed of similar materials, may frequently be found 

 in the border of the same field, yet it often finds a home in 

 wild, barren districts, frequented by no other small birds 

 but the Wheatear and Ring Ouzel. I have even more than 

 once seen it alight on a tree, but this was apparently as 

 a resting-place on which it perched previously to descend- 

 ing to roost among the heath on a common. Had I not 

 been near, it would most probably have dropped at once 

 to its hiding-place as some of its companions did. From 

 its attachment to commons and waste lands, the Meadow 

 Pipit has received the names of Ling-bird and Moss- 

 cheeper, In winter it is more abundant in the plains, 

 where it may often be seen in small parties searching for 

 seeds and insects in recently-ploughed lands, well marked by 

 its running gait and the olive tinge of its upper plumage. 

 Its song, which is not frequently heard, is a short and 

 simple strain, sometimes uttered on the ground, but more 

 generally, while rising or falling, at no great height in 

 the jair. Its nest is only to be distinguished from that 

 of the Tree Pipit by the dark brown hue of the eggs, 

 which are somewhat similar to those of the Skylark, 

 only smaller. '' The egg of the Cuckoo is more frequently 

 deposited and hatched in the nest of the Meadow Pipit 

 than in that of any other bird."* 



THE ROCK PIPIT. 



ANTHUS PETROSUS. 



Hind claw about equal in length to the toe, much curved ; upper plumage 

 greenish brown, the centre of each feather darker brown ; a whitish streak 

 over the eye ; under parts dull white, spotted and streaked with dark brown. 

 Length six inches and three-quarters. Eggs dull white, mottled with dingy 

 brown. 



Except that it is somewhat larger, the Rock Pipit is very 

 similar in form and colour to the last species. It is, how- 

 ever, far more local, being confined exclusively to the sea- 



* Yarrell's "British Birds," vol. i. p. 429. 



