116 THE TREE PIPIT 
twig and repeated its warble again. This was in the first week in 
May, and is the only occasion on which I ever heard it really sing. 
The nest resembles that of the Pied Wagtail, and is placed on 
the ground, usually in pea-fields. The popular name Washer- 
woman belongs to the whole family. The corresponding term, 
Lavandiére, is also found in France, and was given from the fanciful 
similarity between the beating of the water with its tail by the 
bird while tripping along the leaves of a water-lily, and the beating 
of linen in the water by washerwomen, a custom still existing in 
France, and some parts of England and Ireland. 
THE TREE PIPIT 
ANTHUS TRIVIALIS 
Hind claw shorter than the toe, and curved so as to form the fourth of a circle ; 
upper parts ash, tinged with olive, the centre of each feather dark brown ; 
a double band across the wing, formed by the yellowish white tips of the 
lesser and middle wing-coverts ; throat and region of the eye dull white ; 
breast reddish yellow, spotted, and at the sides lightly streaked with dark 
brown. Length six inches. Eggs dull white, variously mottled with 
purple brown. 
THE name Titlark is popularly applied to three common species of 
birds which were formerly placed in the same family with the Sky- 
lark. Modern ornithologists now place them in a distinct genus, 
the characters of which differ from those of the true Lark in that 
the beak is more slender and slightly notched near the point, the 
first three quills are nearly of the same length and the outer toe is 
united with the middle one as far as the first joint. In colouring, 
however, in general form, and, toa slight extent, in habits, namely, in 
the mode of feeding and nesting, there is much similarity between the 
genera; but in the power of soaring, the Lark, though imitated by 
one species, is unrivalled. The old name Titlark, then, must be 
understood to be merged in the more distinctive title, Pipit, given 
to three common kinds which severally frequent trees, meadows, 
and the seashore. Pipits are more allied to the Wagtail family 
than with Larks. The Tree Pipit alone is a migratory species, 
arriving in this country towards the end of April, and leaving us 
in the autumn. It is common in most of the wooded counties of 
England, except the extreme west and north, but attracts little 
notice, being unostentatious in size and colour, while its song, except 
by the practised ear, is likely to be lost in the general melody of the 
woods. Yarrell’s succinct account of its most characteristic habit 
is so comprehensive and accurate, that the observer who wishes to 
make its acquaintance can scarcely fail by its help to identify the bird 
on its very first occurrence. ‘ The male has a pretty song, perhaps 
more attractive fromgthe manner in which it is given, than the 
quality of the song’ Itself. He generally sings while perched on the 
