MEADOW AND ROCK PIPITS 



79 



Teetling, Titling, Water Linnet, Wekeen. Often called the 

 Titlark, being confused by some with the Tree Pipit. 



Haunt. — Moors, downs, and commons, also fields, sheepfolds, and 

 seashore in Winter. 



Nesting Period. — May and June. 



Site of Nest. — On the ground, usually concealed among grasses, etc. 



Materials Used. — Grass, moss, 

 roots, lined with fine grass and 

 hair. 



Eggs. — Five or Six. Light and 

 dark brown, or yellowish, 

 closely mottled with darker 

 tints. 



Food. — Insects, including small 

 beetles, and seeds. 



Voice. — A tinkling song uttered in 

 the air in a Lark-like way, but 

 the notes are not to be com- 

 pared to those of either the 

 Skylark or Tree Pipit. The 



song, however, is typical of wild moorlands and breezy down- 

 lands. A shrill call-note is uttered, like " cheep-teep," and an 

 alarm of " tu-wheet, tu-wheet." When flushed, a low, com- 

 plaining " peep." 



Chief Features. — This bird is the favourite foster-parent in Scotland 

 of the Cuckoo. Large flocks come South in Winter and resort 

 to fields, especially where there are sheepfolds. A common 

 British bird, and, unlike the Tree Pipit, it is resident. 



Plumage. — Above the colouring is ash, with an olive tinge, dark 

 brown on centre of each feather; dull bufiy-white underneath, 

 profusely spotted with dull brown. The hind claw is longer 

 than the toe, and slightly curved. Length. — Five inches and 

 three-quarters. 



Fig. 28. Meadow Pipit. 



PIPIT, ROCK (Anthus obscurus) 

 Local Names. — Dusky Lark, Field Lark, Rock Lark, Sea Lark, Sea 



Lintie, Sea Tit or Titling, Shore Lark, Shore Pipit. 

 Haunt. — The seashore and its immediate vicinity. 

 Nesting Period. — End of April onwards. 

 Site of Nest. — In a rabbit burrow, holes or ledges of sea cliffs, and 



under stones. 

 Materials Used. — Coarse bents, seaweed, and sometimes moss, lined 



with finer bents and perhaps horsehair. 

 Eggs. — Four or Five. Greenish, mottled with dusky-brown or 



dark cinereous. 



