230 birds of india. 



The European Tree-Pipit. 



Descr. — Very similar to the last, but the tone of color less deep, 

 it is less distinctly striated on the body, and more tinged with 

 fulvescent on the throat, breast, and under parts generally. It is 

 also somewhat smaller, the wing only measuring 3;^ ; the bill is 

 stronger, and the hind claw slightly more curved. 



This species has been killed in the N. W. Provinces at Feroze- 

 pore, Mussooree, and even in Nepal. Adams (distinguishing it 

 from the last) says, "very common in the Lower Himalayan 

 ranges." It is found in Europe (vdiere it breeds) ; wintering in 

 Africa; also in all Asia, Japan, &c. It is a fine songster, and 

 lives well in captivity. Gray, List of Birds from Molucca, P. Z. S. 

 1860, has A. arboreus, var., from Batchian. Is this agilis or 

 arboreus ? 



598. Pipastes montanus, Jerdon. 



Anthus, apud Jerdon, J. A. S., XVI., 435 — Blyth, Cat. 759— 

 A rufescens, Jerdon, Cat. 19 L 



The Hill Tree-Pjpit, 



Descr. — Plumage olive-yellow, the feathers centered with dark 

 brown ; beneath, and supercilium, of a light rufous or tawny 

 tinge, darkest on the breast, which, with the flanks and abdomen, 

 are streaked with blackish brown ; tail with the outer feathers dull 

 fawn-white for the terminal two-thirds ; the penultimate one has 

 the terminal third of the same hue, and both, with the antepenul- 

 timate, have their tips white. 



Bill blackish ; legs pale broAvn ; irides dark brown. Length 

 about 6|- inches ; wing 3^ ; tail 2g ; tarsus not quite 1 inch ; bill 

 at front j*-^. Bill strong, short ; hind claw well curved, nearly 

 -^- lono". 



The Hill Pipit has hitherto only been found on the top of the 

 Neilgheiries, where it is a permanent resident, and tolerably abun- 

 dant. It frequents grassy hills there, being very commonly found 

 near the woods, and, on being disturbed, flying up and perching 

 on trees. It feeds chiefly on various insects and grass seeds. I 

 can hardly imagine that it is restricted to the limited hill plateaus of 



