146 RURAL BIRD LIFE. 



THE TREE PIPIT. 



IN the fresh and vernal month of April this sprightly 

 species is seen in his summer haunts. While the barren 

 moor has its charms for the Meadow Pipit, the Tree 

 Pipit delights in the richest pastures, on the borders of 

 woods, and seldom far from trees, his partiality to which 

 gains him the name ' Tree ' Pipit. Of all the lovely 

 singing birds that annually visit us in spring, perhaps 

 the Tree Pipit is most often heard. He chooses for his 

 station the topmost branches of a tree, it matters not if 

 it be oak, ash, elm, or beech ; nor does the height of the 

 tree at all affect him. Thus, when all Nature is smiling 

 in the varied beauty attained under the influences of 

 the vernal sun, and all creatures seem overflowing with 

 gratitude to their Creator, the Tree Pipit sings his 

 loudest. We see him, probably on the withered or 

 storm-blasted top of a lofty tree, his slim sprightly form 

 telling out in bold relief against the azure vault of 

 heaven, after remaining motionless for a few moments, 

 launch into the air, and on fluttering pinions mount 

 upwards and soar far away, pouring out notes of rare 

 beauty as he goes ; then poising himself, as the zenith 

 of his flight is reached, for a moment, he glides on 

 motionless wings and expanded tail smoothly and evenly 

 down with a sidelong motion and uttering his long 

 drawn twee-twee-t-wee as he comes to his original perch- 

 ing place, or if he is not yet engaged in nesting he will 



