MEADOW PIPIT OR TITLARK. 31 



Observation. Distinguish from Meadow Pipit by larger size, 

 warmer tint, and paler legs. 



Plumage. Upper parts ashy olive, each feather having a 

 dark centre. Wings darker, with pale margins. Tail dark 

 brown, with two outer feathers white, conspicuous in flight ; 

 superciliary stripe buffish. Throat dull white ; under parts 

 buff, with dark brown spots and streaks. Bill brown above, 

 paler below. Legs flesh-coloured. Length 6 in. Female 

 slightly smaller, with spots on breast less clear. Young more 

 spotted than adult. 



Language. Song may be syllabised thus: " chee-chee-chee- 

 chee-e-chaw-e-chaw-whee-whee-whee," last syllables repeated 

 several times; call-note, a prolonged "see"; alarm-note, a 

 sharp "chip." 



Habits. Much like the Wagtails in the way it fans its tail 

 and walks or runs. It usually has a favourite tree from which 

 it at intervals springs up into the air with rapidly beating 

 wings. When about thirty or forty feet up it commences 

 to sing, descending to the tree from which it started, or an 

 adjacent one, in a series of graceful curves, and with wings 

 held open in a parachute-like manner ; it also sings when 

 perched. 



Food. Insects and their larvas, spiders, seeds of cereals, &c. 



Nest. May onwards. Two broods. 



Site. On the ground ; often at foot of male's favourite tree, 

 in some depression concealed by growing herbage. 



Materials. Bents, roots, dry grass, and moss ; lined with 

 fine bents, grass, and hair. 



Eggs. Four to six. Most variable in colour and markings. 

 Dull white, densely spotted or mottled with greyish olive-brown. 



MEADOW PIPIT OR TITLAEK (Anthus pratensis). 



Kesident, or partially migrant. Common pretty well every- 

 where, haunting moors, commons, pasture-lands, and the like. 



Plumage. Upper parts ashy olive-brown, each feather 

 having a dark centre. Dull white eye-stripe; wings darker 

 and primaries edged with yellowish. Tail also darker, with 

 two outer feathers whitish, conspicuous in flight ; under parts 

 buffish white, with many elongated brown markings. Bill 

 dark brown above, paler below. Legs pale brown. Length 

 5| in. Female less strongly marked below. Young yellower,, 

 and under markings darker. 



Language. Song delivered like last, and consists of " chu- 

 wick," repeated several times in the ascent, and " see-see," 

 repeated often in the descent. Call-note, " ist."' Alarm-note,, 

 "peet." 



