

TREE PIPIT. 423 



M. BEOIISTETN separated the Pipits from the true Larks, 

 and proposed the generic term of Antkus for the former ; 

 this division and name have been generally adopted ; it 

 would still further assist correct definition, if among our- 

 selves the term Titlark could be discontinued entirely ; the 

 Tree Pipit being called the Titlark by some, the Meadow 

 Pipit a Titlark by others, and round the sea coast where 

 the Rock Pipit is generally the most frequent of the three, 

 that is also called Titlark. Scarcely any two British 

 Birds have been so frequently confounded together as the 

 Tree and the Meadow Pipits ; but when the two species 

 are examined in hand, distinctions will be found that are 

 sufficiently obvious and constant ; and there are besides 

 differences in the habits of these birds, as well as in the 

 localities they each frequent. The Tree Pipit is rather the 

 larger bird of the two ; the beak is stouter and stronger ; 

 the spots on the breast larger and fewer in number ; the 

 claw of the hind toe is not so long as the toe itself; the ter- 

 tial feathers of the wings are rather longer in proportion 

 to the primaries; the white on the outer tail-feather on 

 each side is neither so pure in colour, nor is it spread over 

 so large a portion of the feather ; and, as far as my own 

 observation goes, it does not appear to be so numerous as 

 a species as the Meadow Pipit. 



The Tree Pipit is a summer visitor to this country, ar- 

 riving about the third week in April, and frequents the 

 enclosed and wooded districts of England ; it is not un- 

 common around London, and I have observed it frequently 

 in the highly cultivated and wooded parts of Kent. The 

 male has a pretty song, perhaps more attractive from the 

 manner in which it is given than the quality of the song 

 itself. He generally sings while perched on the top of 

 a bush, or one of the upper branches of an elm-tree 

 standing in a hedge row, from which, if watched for a 



