3.18 



THE TKEE PIPIT. 



cuckoo is said to favour the Meadow Pipit with her society rather more frequently 

 than is agreeable to the bird, and to give it the labour of rearing her voracious young. 



The general colour of this Pipit is dark olive-brown, with a wash of green upon the 

 upper parts ; the wings are very dark brown, sprinkled with white, and the tail is also 

 brown, with the exception of a white streak on each exterior feather, and a few white 

 spots towards the extremity. The under surface is brownish-white, and upon the breast 

 of the male there is a pale rosy tinge. Upon the breast there are a number of dark brown 

 spots. The colours of the plumage undergo a decided change in the autumn, and are more 

 showy than those of the summer ; the olive-green on the back becoming more conspicuous 

 and the under surface tinged with yellow. 



This bird goes by different names in different parts of England. In many places it is 

 termed the Moss-cheeper, in allusion to its peculiar plaintive note. In other parts it 

 is known by the title of Ling-bird, on account of its habit of haunting the waste moor- 

 lands. In Ireland the bird is called the Wekeen, a name which evidently alludes to 

 its note. It has been found in all the British Islands, and in many parts of Europe, 



extending as far northward as 

 Sweden and Norway in the sum- 

 mer months, and having even 

 been seen in Iceland. Speci- 

 mens have been taken in Egypt 

 and several parts of Africa, and 

 also in the west of India. It has 

 also been included in the list, of 

 Japanese birds, so that it pos- 

 sesses a range of locality which 

 is seldom enjoyed by any single 

 species. Although the bird is so 

 small and delicate, being only six 

 inches in length, it is a strong 

 and daring flyer, a specimen 

 having been taken on board a 

 ship at a distance of nine hundred 

 miles from the nearest shore. 



The TREE PIPIT derives its 

 name from its habit of perching 

 upon trees, wherein it presents a 

 decided contrast to the meadow 

 Pipit, which chiefly frequents waste 

 lands and marshes. 



It is only a summer visitant of this country, arriving towards the end of April and 

 leaving our shores in September, after rearing its brood. Although it can perch on 

 branches, and does so very frequently, it has not a very strong hold of the bough, and is 

 not nearly so agile in hopping or tripping about the branches as is the case with the 

 generality of perching birds. While on the tree it generally settles on the end of some 

 bough, and is not seen to traverse the branches after the fashion of the tree-frequenting 

 bird's.' Although it is called the Tree Pipit, it seems more at its ease on the ground than 

 among the branches, and runs and trips over the roughest soils with an easy grace that 

 contrasts strongly with its evident insecurity upon the boughs. 



The song of this bird is sweeter and more powerful than that of the preceding species, 

 and is generally given in a very curious manner. Taking advantage of some convenient 

 tree, it hops from branch to branch, chirping merrily with each hop, and after reaching 

 tne summit of the tree, perches for a few moments and then launches itself into the air, for 

 the purpose of continuing its ascent. Having accomplished this feat, the bird bursts into 

 a triumphant strain of music, and, fluttering downwards as it sings, alights upon the samf 

 tree from which it had started, and by successive leaps again reaches the ground. 



TREE PIPIT. Anthus arboreus. 



