184 



THE GRASSHOPPER-LARK, 



Their usual food consists of small Beetles, Caterpillers, and othei 

 insects, as well as of the seeds of numerous kinds of wild plants. 



THE MEADOW PIPIT. 



The Meadow Pipit,, more commonly called the Titlark, resembles 

 the true Larks in the long hind 

 claw and peculiar plumage, but 

 is pointed out as distinct, by the 



different color of the bill. Like ^L/l, M'Mi^ t 



the Skylark, h sings while in 

 the air, but sometimes also pours 

 forth its musical strains while 

 settled upon the ground. It feeds 



111 i 



principally on slugs, worms,, and 

 insects, which it chases with much 

 activity, after the manner of the 

 Wagtails, even vibrating its- tail 

 like them. Hilly grounds, com- 

 mons, and meadows are its chief 

 Tesort in summer, but during September aad October flocks of these 

 birds may be seen congregated in turnip fields, and in the winter they 

 seek the protection of the warm hedge- rows. 



The nest of the Titlark is made on the ground, and concealed by a 

 tuft of grass. There are usually five or six eggs, light brown in 

 spotted with a darker tint The length of the bird is six inches 



THE GRASSHOPPER-LARK. 



This is a very small species. Its bill is slender and dusky. 

 pper parts of the body are 

 of a variegated greenish 

 brown. The under parts 

 are of a yellowish white r 

 speckled irregularly on the 

 neck and breast. The 

 feathers of the wings and 

 tail are of a palish dusky 

 brown. The tail is long, 

 and somewhat wedge- 

 shaped 



Nothing, says the Rev. 

 Mr. White, can be more 

 amusing than the sibilous whisper of this little bird, which seems- to 

 be close by, though it may be an hundred yards distant ; and, when 

 dose at your ear, is scarcely any louder than when a great way of 

 The Grasshopper-lark usually begins his note about the middle of 

 April, *nd did we not know that the Grasshopper insects are not yei 



7HE &RASSHOPP1.E LARK. 



