218 BRITISH BIRDS. 
always so in the young. The Pipits always have a pale eye-stripe, but the 
Wagtails vary in this respect. 
The Pipits being so constant in their pattern of colour, it is not 
necessary to give a long detailed description of each species, which would 
only confuse the student. All that is necessary is to point out the specific 
characters of each. 
This genus contains about forty species, and may be practically re- 
garded as cosmopolitan, being only unrepresented in the Polynesian 
subregion, which consists of all the tropical islands in the Pacific. Seven 
species breed in Europe, and two others are occasional visitors. Three 
only breed in the British Islands; but four others accidentally visit our 
shores. 
In their habits the Pipits do not differ much from the Wagtails. They 
frequent most kinds of scenery, the well-cultivated districts, the uplands, 
the rocky coasts, mountains, and broad plains. They are moderate 
songsters, but differ considerably in this respect. Their nests are always 
placed on the ground, and are made of dry grass, hair, roots, &c.; and 
the eggs are from five to six in number. The ground-colour is generally 
almost concealed by a profusion of markings of various shades of brown. 
Their flight is rapid and undulating, and most of the species sing on the 
wing. They are partly insectivorous and partly granivorous. 
MEADOW-PIPIT’S NEST. 
