36 COMMON BRITISH BIRDS 



Nest.- A slender platform of sticks in a fir or other 

 tree. 



Eggs. Two only, pure white. 



Haunts. Woods and wooded districts. Feeds on 

 open fields. Will often build in gardens quite close to 

 houses. 



PIPIT, MEADOW. (R. Pipits.) 



Size. Sparrow. 



Colour. Olive-brown above with dark centres to 

 feathers. Below white tinged with olive, spots on 

 chest and sides. 



Note. The song and the mode of uttering it are both 

 somewhat similar to the Tree Pipit's, only, instead of 

 starting from a tree-top, the Meadow Pipit generally 

 tarts from the ground or a clump of gorse or heather, 

 which abound in its usual breeding-haunts. 



Distinguishing Feature. Not so tawny as the Tree 

 Pipit. Difference in habits when singing. Not found 

 o much on cultivated land. 



Nest. On ground, lined hair and fine grasses. 



Eggs. Dull white, mottled with brown. 



Haunts. Uplands in the summer. Many migrate 

 south in the winter. 



PIPIT, TREE. (S.M. Pipits.) 



Six*. Sparrow. 



Colour. Tawny- brown above, with dark centres to 

 feathers, below buff-white, with some black streaks. 

 White on outer tail-feathers. 



Note. Sings in the air, taking flight off the top of 

 some tall tree, singing as it goes up and then descending, 

 with outspread wings and tail, usually to the starting- 

 point. The last notes of its song consist of ' twee 

 twee twee,' long drawn-out as it descends to its perch. 



Distinguishing Feature. The very characteristic 

 method of uttering its song as above, tawny plumage, 

 and Wagtail-like carriage when on ground. Hearing 

 the drawn-out notes at the end of the song often calls 

 one's attention to the bird. 



Nest. On ground, lined with hair. 



E SS S - Variable, pinkish-white mottled with puj-, 

 plish-brown to slate-grey, with dark markings. 



Haunts, Wooded districts, 



