24 ANNALS OF BIRD LIFE. 



and dock stems in the grass meadows, where 

 they cunningly conceal their nest in the thickest 

 herbage. Their eggs are very beautiful objects 

 a delicate turquoise-blue with a zone of very faint 

 brown spots, usually round the larger end. The 

 Tree Pipit Tree Pipit is another very prominent bird of the 



arr ves, i8th J A ^ 



April - fields, and may be seen soaring into the air from 

 almost every tree top, singing as he goes ; re- 

 turning to the old perching place to rest a few 

 moments, then fluttering up again. He loves to 

 sit on the dead branches, and will return season 

 after season to one particular tree. He also nests 

 in the mowing grass, or sometimes in the pasture, 

 often under a tree by the hedgerow. The nest is 

 a simple structure, made of dead grass, a flake or 

 two of moss, and lined with hair. The eggs vary 

 considerably in colour, but all in the same nest 

 are uniform in tint as a rule. Few birds wander 

 so little from home, and during the entire breed- 

 ing season it will remain in one particular field 

 until the young can fly. At this season wherever 

 there are birds there is music. The blue dome 

 of heaven, across which the big white masses 

 of fleecy cloud, eloquent of fine weather and 

 calm, slowly and solemnly drift, is resonant with 

 skyiarksjn the Skylark's song. From all parts of the upper 

 Apni and 5 " a j r t h e ]j tt i e brown specks of birds are warbling 

 against each other ; far and near their melody is 

 sounding, sweet as freedom's charm only can 

 make it. Who, with a spark of love for Nature 

 and her works, can find it in their hearts to 



