146 BIRDS OF SOMERSETSHIRE. 



authors, is a rather commoner species with us than 

 the last : it is resident throughout the year. It is 

 very common amongst the heather on the Quantocks 

 and other wild hills, and, from its partiality for such 

 situations, it has obtained, in some parts of England, 

 the name of " Ling Bird." Yarrell says it may be 

 seen perched on a low hush, but is rarely observed 

 sitting on the branch of a high tree or perched on a 

 rail : I have, however, constantly seen it perched on 

 the hurdles with which sheep are folded when in 

 turnips, as it repairs to the sheep-folds in autumn 

 and winter for food, like the Pied Wagtail, which 

 bird it somewhat resembles in its manner of running 

 quickly along the ground after flies, of which, as well 

 as other insects and worms, its food mostly consists. 

 It also resembles the Wagtails in its lively manners 

 and the almost constant motion of its tail. 



The nest of this bird, like that of the Tree Pipit, 

 is generally placed on the ground ; but the present 

 species does not appear so much to seek the shelter 

 afforded by thick bushes and shrubs, underneath 

 which the nest of the Tree Pipit is generally placed, 

 being content with the cover of the grass and weeds, 

 amongst which its nest is placed, usually in a hollow 

 of the ground or by a projecting clod of earth : it is 

 made of dry grass and hay, mixed with moss and 

 lined with finer grass and hair. 



The whole colour of the Meadow Pipit has a 

 slightly more olive tinge in it than the Tree Pipit. 



