THE MEADOW PITIT, OR TITLARK. . 91 



upon the ground, under a tuft of grass, or on the bank of 

 a field, or on the side of a railway cutting, and not uncom- 

 monly upon the Leach under some dried weeds. Four or 

 five eggs are laid, which are light brown, much mottled with 

 a darker shade, especially near the larger end. The 

 Meadow Pipit has two and sometimes three nests in the 

 year, some being found as early as the beginning of April, 

 and others as late as July. 



The length of the Meadow Pipit is about six and a half 

 inches ; the bill is dusky, inclining to a pale yellow brown 

 down the side of the neck; from the base of the bill there is 

 a line of dusky spots, and another over it ; iris, dark brown ; 

 head, crown, neck, on the back and nape are brown, the middle 

 of the feathers being darker than the edges; chin, throat, and 

 sides of neck are pale yellowish or brownish ; breast, light 

 brownish white, spotted with dark brown, forming a small 

 cluster in the centre; back, brown; after the autumn 

 moult, the brown portions assume a beautiful tinge of rich 

 olive. The greater and lesser wing coverts are brown, with 

 broad edges of light brown ; primaries, secondaries, and 

 tertials are brownish black, edged with light brown. The 

 tail is about two and a half inches in length, of a dark 

 brown, with paler markings. Legs and toes are light 

 brownish yellow; claws, dusky, the hind one being long 

 and slightly curved. The females are somewhat smaller 

 than the males, but resemble them in general appearance. 

 The young birds of the first year have the pretty olive 

 tinges of the adult plumage in autumn. 



It should be clearly understood that there is a second 

 variety or species of Meadow Pipit which does not remain 

 with us during the winter. This bird arrives in England 

 as early as the end of February, and is of a lighter colour, 



