184 THE USEFUL BIRDS 



a shallow depression caused by the pressure of the hoofs of 

 cattle, or in a shght depression beneath a tuft of grass. 



The young are early models of the old. Before leaving the 

 saucer-shaped nest of grass material, the outer two rectrices 

 are white, each with a central longitudinal dark line, and this 

 before these feathers are an inch in length. The little birds 

 early learn to catch the worms which appear so plentifully 

 after a heavy rainfall. 



Associated with the Pipit in the field is a Bush or Thick - 

 billed Lark (Mirafra), and so much are they alike that it is 

 difficult to distinguish between the two. The Mirafra has 

 a stouter bill and is shorter in the body. The food of 

 the Pipit is ground-living animals, as worms and beetles 

 (Scarabidse), also seeds of grasses. 



Nest. — Terrestrial, cup-shaped, and placed in a hollow 

 caused by cattle hoofs, or in a slight depression beneath a 

 tuft of grass ; made of dry grasses, not always exposed as in 

 the illustration. 



Eggs. — Three to the clutch ; brownish-white, with blotches 

 and spots varying in the intensity of brown. Length, 0.9 

 inch : breadth, 0.6 inch. 



