WITH BROWN PREDOMINATING 263 
Karly in the spring the Pipits start on their journey 
to the Boreal zone, either in the far north or above the 
timber line in the mountains. 
Up to the very highest peaks they wander, where 
snow reigns forever and the fierce heat of the lowlands 
never comes, there to build 
“half-way houses on the road to 
heaven.” And although un- 
musical in the lowlands, as soon 
as he reaches the solitude of 
the silent mountains the 
Pipit rises on graceful 
wings, a hundred feet in 
the air, and breaks into song 
with a melodious crescendo, 
ending the flight and the 
song in a precipitous drop 
back to earth. 
In form, color, and tail-wag- 
ging, the Pipit is so like the water 
thrush as to be readily confused with 
it but for one thing,—the thrush is 
found alone, or in pairs, and dodges 
about among the alders low over the 697. aren 
IT. 
surface of a brook; while the Pipit “ Up to the very 
. . . ° ° highest peaks they 
flies high in the air, in flocks, for a wander.” 
short distance, wheeling like the killdeer and alighting 
near the starting point. This species is a common winter 
visitant and migrant throughout Southern California, 
while the water thrush is listed by Mr. Grinnell as rare. 
