180 Anthidce. 



of the genus, and the sweetest songster ; and has a habit of rising 

 above the top of some tall tree, and singing with outstretched 

 wings on its descent. In colour it very much resembles the larks ; 

 is somewhat larger than its congener next to be described, from 

 which it differs in the stronger and broader bill, and in the short 

 and hooked hind claw ; also its gait on the ground is a slow walk, 

 while the 'Meadow Pipit' runs after the manner of the Wagtails. 

 It is notorious that the eggs of this species differ very much, 

 both in general colour and in markings ; but Mr. Seebohm says 

 that those in each cluster are alike ; and that it is more probable 

 that each bird lays a peculiar type, which it has inherited from 

 its parents, and transmitted to its offspring.* It is like its 

 more numerous and indigenous congener A. pratensis often 

 called the ' Titlark ;' and Mr. Knox reports that it is styled by 

 the Brighton birdcatchers the 'Real Titlark/ to distinguish it 

 from its fellow.f Oil the Continent it derives its name, as with 

 us, from the trees in which it dwells ; in France it is Pipit dcs 

 buissons ; in Germany, Baumpieper ; and in Sweden, Trad- 

 Pipldrka. 



70. MEADOW PIPIT (Anthus pratensia). 



Yery common, especially on our furze-clad downs, where it 

 remains the whole year, though it will occasionally assemble in 

 flocks, and haunts stubble and turnip-fields in winter. ^Ir. 

 Cordeaux says that in Yorkshire the resident birds receive large 

 additions to their number in early spring by the arrival of 

 migratory flocks ; and that they are the first of the little spring- 

 visitors whose cheery note is so welcome in the bleak marshes, 

 where they arrive early in March, usually preceding the less 

 hardy Pied Wagtail by a full fortnight.^ But in truth it will 

 brave very severe weather, for it has been met with in abundance 

 in Northern Lapland and even on the highest fjall moors of 

 Scandinavia, to which it resorts in summer to breed ; and when 

 autumn comes with its icy blasts, warning all strangers to retire, 



' British Birds,' vol. ii., p. 222. 



t * Birds of Sussex,' p. 203. 



J ' Birds of the Hcmber/ p. 44. 



