BIRDS OF MINNESOTA 405 



Family MOTACILLID^. 



ANTHUS PENSYLVANICUS (Latham). (697.) 

 AMERICAN PIPIT. 



To any interested observer of the birds the characteristics of 

 the Titlark would become especially so. Only seen in migra- 

 tions it can scarcely fail of instantaneous recognition. They are 

 very irregular in their distribution in migration, sometimes ap- 

 pearing for two or three successive springs in nearly the same 

 localities, and then absenting themselves several years to re- 

 turn in the same or greater numbers. And I have often ob- 

 served that a full representation in the spring migration was 

 more likely to be followed by a light one in the autumn. They 

 return by some other route. 



I should say, that as a rule, they are more numerous in fall 

 than in spring, yet this rule will have some marked exceptions. 



They arrive in the southern part of the State about the 20th 

 of May, and after remaining only a short time, pass on to the 

 further north to breed. About the second week of September 

 they return, and may be seen daily on the plowed fields in large 

 flocks until after the middle of October. It is not unusual to find 

 them associated with the Lapland Longspurs. Their flight is 

 graceful in the extreme, and so characteristic as to point out 

 their identity at considerable distance. Rumor asserts that 

 they breed in the islands of the Lake of the Woods, but it is 

 not yet sufficiently authenticated. They are reported as 

 abundant in their fall migrations in the St. Peter's and Red 

 river valleys, and on the level prairies of Grant and Douglas 

 counties. Dr. Hvoslef gives them full recognition in Fillmore 

 county in their migrations. 



SPECIFIC CHARACTERS. 



Above olive-brown, each feather slightly darker towards the 

 central portion; beneath pale dull buff, or yellowish-brown, 

 with a maxillary series of dark brown spots and streaks across 

 the breast and along the sides. Ring round the eye and super- 

 ciliary stripe, yellowish; central tail feathers like the back, 

 the others dark blackish-brown; the external one white, ex- 

 cept at the base within; a white spot at the end of the second; 

 primaries edged with whitish; other quills with pale brownish. 



Length, 6.50; wing, 3.45; tail. 2.95. 



Habitat, North America. 



