168 tNSECTIVOROlfs BIRDS 



PIPIT 



(Ground-Lark), 



Authiis australis, Tig. and Hors. 



An thus ds-tra'lis. 



Anthus, a small bird ; australis, southern. 



Anthus australis, Gould, "Birds of Australia," fol., vol. iii., pi. 73. 



Geographical Distribution. — Areas 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9. 



Key to the Species. — General plumage tawny, exceedingly dark 

 in some cases and very light in others ; outer tail feathers white, 

 without any brown on the outer w^ebs ; second, third, fourth, 

 and fifth primaries distinctly emarginate ; minor secondaiy 

 quills nearly as long as the primaries ; bill slender, the profile 

 of the culmen swollen from centre to tip. 



Our meadow Pipit scarcely needs a mention, as it has 

 spoken for itself, I may safely say, to each of you. Tlie 

 larks appear to differ from the pipits in the bills of the 

 latter being more slender and notched, as well as tlie 

 hind part of tarsus not being divided into plate-like 

 surfaces as witli the larks, so that our familiar Ground- 

 Lark should always be honoured with its more appropriate 

 title of Pipit. Tlie nest is invariably placed upon the 

 ground, and the birds prefer the same place to the air. 

 For five minutes together you may keep the slim-footed 

 runner moving in and out along its course, seldom essaying 

 flight for more than a few seconds, till, finding you 

 are intent upon annoying it, away it flaps with the wind 

 for 100 yards or more. If it wishes to enter an adjacent 

 field, and pass houses en route, it will rise quickly into 

 the air, fly high, and fall rapidly upon the new pasture, 

 favoured wdth the wind. If a quarrel arises between the 

 smallest number that can make a quarrel, a long, rapid, 



