328 INSECTIVOILE. 



THE TREE-PIPIT (Antlius arboreus]. 



The tree-pipit is so like the meadow one, both in the tints 

 of its colours, and in the marking and distribution, that if 

 they are seen alternately it is not easy to tell the one from 

 the other. But if seen together, they are at once distinguish- 

 able. The tree-pipit is larger than the other, and heavier ; 

 but is more compactly feathered, and more slender at the 

 shoulders (the last of these is, by the way, no bad distin- 

 guishing mark between the resident and migratory birds 

 the last always appearing the more slender and elegant), 

 flatter in the head, more produced in the bill, and gayer in 

 the tint on the under part. The claw on the hinder toe is 

 also much shorter, and more crooked, so that the foot is fully 

 as well adapted for perching as for walking, and much better 

 than for walking on grassy surfaces. 



The tree-pipit is a summer migrant, arriving in May, and 

 taking its departure in September. Its locality is interme- 

 diate between those of the other pipits, more inland than the 

 shores, and less upland than the wilds. It frequents the rich 

 country ; but more on the margin of the woodland than that 

 of the open wild. It has in consequence some resemblance 

 in its habits to the sylvan warblers upon whose domain it 

 borders, and with which it makes its appearance and takes 

 its departure. 



Its single cry, though peeking, is more musical and less 

 melancholy than that of the other pipits, and its song is also 

 sweeter, and being warbled from a greater elevation, and in 

 places that are more frequented, it is more generally heard. 

 It ascends with the single cry, and sings either perched on 

 the top of a tree, or whilst it is descending. It generally, if 

 not always, nestles upon the gronnd, constructs its nest of 

 vegetable fibres, and then lines it with finer fibres and hair. 

 But it never builds far from trees j and when the male is in 



