232 WAGTAILS AND PIPITS 



3. Migration. Resident as a species, except in elevated districts, but the 

 individuals are to a great extent migratory. The movements in Great Britain 

 in autumn, from September onwards, appear to comprise (a) movements from the 

 more northern to the more southern counties, but the former are not altogether 

 forsaken ; (6) immigration on the south-east coast from Central Europe there 

 is little evidence of direct intermigration between our coasts and the more northern 

 parts of the Continent ; (c) emigration to Ireland ; and (d) emigration from the 

 south coast (cf. Saunders, Manual of British Birds, 1899, p. 133 ; and B. 0. C. 

 Migration Reports, ii. p. 178, iii. pp. 181, 191, and iv. pp. 173, 190). In Ireland 

 at the same season there are (a) partial movements from the northern and eastern 

 to the south-western counties ; and (6) immigration on the east coast ; but there 

 seems to be no evidence of oversea emigration in autumn (cf. Ussher and Warren, 

 B. of Ireland, 1900, p. 40). All these movements have their reverse counter- 

 parts in spring, mid-March to mid- April being the chief season. The meadow-pipit 

 is a gregarious and mainly diurnal migrant, and is very frequently noted as travel- 

 ling with the pied-wagtail, whose movements within our area closely correspond 

 with those of the species under discussion. [A. L. T.] 



4. Nest and Eggs. Nesting place : generally in a grass tussock, rushes, or 

 heather, on the ground and neatly hidden. It is built of grasses and bents, with 

 a little moss, lined with finer grasses and horse-hair. (PI. x.) Both sexes share 

 in its construction. Eggs 4 to 6, rarely 7, in number, vary much less than those of 

 the tree-pipit, and are distinctly smaller. Most eggs are brown or grey in general 

 effect, being thickly covered with small spots so as almost to hide the ground, and 

 often a black hairstreak at the big end. Eggs with a blue ground are sometimes 

 found, as well as a pink type, finely speckled all over. (PI. B.) Average size 

 of 143 eggs, *76 x '55 in. [19'34 x 14'19 mm.]. Laying begins towards the end of 

 April in England, but not till May in the Shetlands. The hen performs the greater 

 part of the incubation, which lasts 13-14 days. Two broods are usually reared. 

 [F. c. E. J.] 



5. Food. Insects of both injurious and beneficial species, worms and small 

 molluscs, while in winter seeds are also eaten. The young are fed by both 

 parents, chiefly, no doubt, on insects, but sufficient evidence is wanting. 

 [A. L. T.] 



6. Song Period. From April to July. The song has been heard in 

 February and March, also in August (C. and H. Alexander, British Birds, 

 i. p. 370). [F. B. K.] 



