570 MOTACILLID^. 



Bechstein separated the Pipits or Titlarks from the true 

 Larks, and proposed the generic term of Anthus for the 

 former*. This division has been generally adopted, and the 

 difference between the species of each group is easily seen : 

 the Larks, as will be more fully stated presently, having the 

 nostrils covered (with a few exceptions) by short feathers, 

 and the back of the tarsus scutellated, while the Pipits have 

 the latter entire and the former exposed. Otherwise there is 

 a very great general resemblance in the appearance of the two 

 groups. Structurally however the Pipits agree so closely with 

 the Wagtails that there seems no good reason for retaining 

 them in a distinct family, and therefore they are here referred to 

 the Motacillida, in accordance with modern practice, though 

 opposed to that followed in former editions of this work. 

 The style of coloration however is always enough to distinguish 

 between a Wagtail and a Pipit. Wagtails, Pipits and Larks 

 agree in never hopping like most small birds, but walk or 

 run when on the ground, advancing their feet by alternate 

 steps. Pipits however are said to moult twice in the year, 

 while Larks undergo that change only once. 



The Tree-Pipit is a spring- visitor to this country, generally 

 arriving between the beginning and the third week in April, 

 — but Mr. H. T. Frere has recorded its occurrence in 

 February, and, after passing the summer with us, collects in 

 small flocks and departs in September or October, though 

 Neville Wood once shot an example in November. It 

 frequents enclosed and wooded districts, being far from 

 uncommon in many places. The male has a loud and lively 

 song, not at all unlike, as was long ago remarked, that of a 

 Canary-bird, and perhaps more attractive from the manner in 

 which it is given than from its actual quality. He sometimes 

 sings while sitting on the top of a bush, or one of the upper 

 branches of a tall tree, but most generally, starting from 

 such a perch, he will be seen to ascend on quivering wings 

 about as high again as the tree, then, steadying his wings, 



* Ignorant of or ignoring Bechstein's generic name, Leach, iu 1816, used 

 Spipola in the same signification. 



