146 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 
authors, is a rather commoner species with us than 
the last: 1t is resident throughout the year. It is 
very common amongst the heather on the Quantocks 
and other wild hills, and, from its partiality for such 
situations, it has obtained, in some parts of England, 
the name of “Ling Bird.” Yarrell says it may be 
seen perched on a low bush, but is rarely observed 
sitting on the branch of a high tree or perched on a 
rail: I have, however, constantly seen it perched on 
the hurdles with which sheep are folded when in 
turnips, as it repairs to the sheep-folds in autumn 
and winter for food, like the Pied Wagtail, which 
bird it somewhat resembles in its manner of running 
quickly along the ground after flies, of which, as well 
as other insects and worms, its food mostly consists. 
It also resembles the Wagtails in its lively manners 
and the almost constant motion of its tail. 
The nest of this bird, like that of the Tree Pipit, 
is generally placed on the ground; but the present 
species does not appear so much to seek the shelter 
afforded by thick bushes and shrubs, underneath 
which the nest of the Tree Pipit is generally placed, 
being content with the cover of the grass and weeds, 
amongst which its nest is placed, usually in a hollow 
of the ground or by a projecting clod of earth: it is 
made of dry grass and hay, mixed with moss and 
lined with finer grass and hair. 
The whole colour of the Meadow Pipit has a 
slightly more olive tinge in it than the Tree Pipit. 
