epee 
spent delightful days listening to its music. Each bird has a favourite stand, a low bush, 
a stone, or clod of earth—from which at short intervals he launches himself on the air; and 
rising with a repeated musical chirp to a height of fifty or sixty yards, descends slowly with 
wings set and motionless, emitting the sweet notes of his simple song. At a distance the 
voice is metallic; and on a warm, still day, when sound travels far in these silent solitudes, 
and the widely scattered birds within hearing are many, their voices rising and falling are 
like the tinkle-tinkle and chiming of small bells, with something of mystery, something 
aérial and fairy-like, in their tone, producing an indescribably charming effect. 
In meadows and pastures where other bird-voices are heard, especially the world-flooding 
melody of the Skylark, the thin tinkle of the Meadow Pipit is little noticed. 
The nest of dry grass is made on the ground, and four to six eggs are laid, greyish white 
in colour, thickly spotted, and sometimes streaked at the larger end with various shades of 
brown. It is the nest in which the Cuckoo most often deposits her eggs. 
The Tree Pipit, although in appearance hardly to be distinguished from the last species, 
differs greatly from it in its song, as well as in its habit of perching on trees. There is no 
doubt that on their return to this country in spring these birds all repair to their old haunts 
to breed ; a favourite spot being where large trees grow singly or in groups on or close to 
the grassland, where they find their food and build their nests. Like the Wood Lark, the 
Tree Pipit has a favourite tree to perch on; and to sing he soars up to a moderate height, 
and, descending, pours out his various notes, throaty or clear, and long Canary-like trills, 
the song concluding with one very sweet languishing note, repeated several times. 
In its nesting habits this species closely resembles the Meadow Pipit. The same 
number of eggs, too, are laid, usually dull white is colour, spotted with brown, grey, and 
purple; but in colour and markings they vary greatly. 
The Rock Pipit is an inhabitant of the rocky coasts, and is the only singing bird found 
exclusively in such places. In his song, and manner of uttering it when gliding downwards 
through the air, he closely resembles the Meadow Pipit; but he does not rise so high, and 
the voice is perhaps inferior. 
The nest, composed of moss, bents, and scraps of seaweed, is built in a hole or crevice in 
the rocks ; four or five eggs are laid, pale bluish in ground colour, thickly mottled with 
greyish brown or reddish brown. 
Besides the three described, four other species of Pipits have been included among the 
casual visitors to the British Islands. These are the Red-throated Pipit (A. cervinus) ; 
the Tawny Pipit (A. campestris); Richard’s Pipit (A. Richardi), and the Water Pipit 
(A. spipoletta). 
Educational Series.—No. 1.—OWLS. No. 2.—WOODPECKERS. No. 3.—STARLING. No. 4.— 
SWALLOWS. No. 5.—KINGFISHER. No. 6.—OSPREY. No. 7.—DIPPERS. No. 8.—NIGHTJAR. 
No. 9.—TITMICE. No.10.—KESTREL. No. 14.—PLOYERS. No.12.—_TERNS. No. 13.—WAGTAILS. 
No. 14.—CHOUGH. No.15.—JAY. No.16.—SKUAS. No.17.—FLYCATCHERS. No.18.—NIGHTINGALE. 
No. 19.—GULLS. No. 20.—LEAF-WARBLERS. No. 24.—PIPITS. No. 22.—SKYLARK. 
No. 23.—GREBES. No. 24.—COMMON BUZZARD. 
Copies of the above may be obtained from the Society’s Publishing Department, Knowledge Office, 
326, High Holborn, W.C., or from the Hon. Sec., Mrs. F. E. Lemon, Hillcrest, Redhill, on the following 
terms:—Post free: three copies of any one number of the Series, 1d.; one dozen, 3d.; 100, 1s. 6d. 
Assorted packets, one copy of any six numbers, 2d.; one copy of any twelve, or two copies of any six 
numbers, 4d.; or 50 assorted numbers, 1s. Special terms for larger quantities, and to County Councils, the 
Constabulary, and Schools. 
The Society’s Publishing Office, Knowledge, 326, High Holborn, London, W.C. 1897. 
