84 THE RIVER-SIDE NATURALIST. 



" Birds of Scotland," contrasts the low situation of the nest 

 with the bird's aerial flight : 



" Thou simple bird, 



Of all the vocal choir, dwellest in a home 

 The humblest ; yet thy morning song ascends 

 Nearest to heaven." 



Two other larks, but of a different family, Motacillidce, 

 are often seen and heard not far from the river-side. 



The TREE PIPIT or PIPIT LARK (Anthus Arboreus] is 

 common enough, and generally visits the enclosed districts. 



It arrives in this country in April, 

 and departs again in September. 

 The male is generally to be seen 

 sitting on some outer branch of 

 a neighbouring tree or bush, and 

 constantly rises up in the air, 

 singing as he goes, and then re- 

 turns with quivering wing and 

 outstretched tail to the place he 

 THE TREE PIPIT. started from, or at times down to 



the ground, always ending his short song with a long- 

 drawn Tsee-a, tsce-a, oftentimes repeated. It is much the 

 colour of a lark, only darker. 



The MEADOW PIPIT or TITLARK (Anthus Pratensis) is 

 a resident all the year, but not so common among the 



southern meadows ; but farther 

 north, amongst the moors and 

 open districts, along the rocky 

 sides of mountain streams, it may 

 be constantly seen sitting on 

 heather-stems, bushes, and walls, 

 singing not so loud as the tree 

 pipit, but with the same motions. 

 THE MEADOW PIPIT. It is similar in appearance to the 



tree pipit, but somewhat larger, has a longer hind-claw, 

 and is more speckled on the breast. 



