TREE-PIPIT 111 



British Islands, and which are appropriately named of the tree, rock, 

 and meadow, according to their respective habits, the tree-pipit alone 

 is migratory, appearing in this country about the third week in April, 

 to remain until the end of September, and sometimes longer. In size, 

 colour, and general appearance it so closely resembles the meadow- 

 pipit that the two species are hardly distinguishable, except by exa- 

 mination in the hand. They also resemble each other in their feeding 

 habits, running about in the grass in a mouse -like manner in search 

 of the small insects and seeds on which they subsist, and, when 

 flushed, starting up suddenly, with a sharp chirp of alarm, and going 

 away with a wild, jerky flight. The tree-pipit is distributed widely 

 over the country, and is found at most wood sides, and where trees 

 grow singly or in isolated groups about the pasture-lands. Where 

 the conditions are favourable he is a common bird, but never abun- 

 dant. In spring and summer the tree-pipit is solitary, and it is 

 possible that the males, as with the redbreast and nightingale, are 

 not tolerant of other singers of their own species near them, as they 

 are always found occupying trees far apart seldom, in fact, within 

 hearing distance of one another. On the arrival of the birds in 

 April each male chooses a home, a feeding-ground, with a tree or 

 trees to sing on, and this spot he will occupy until the end of the 

 breeding season, after which the birds resort to the fallows and 

 stubbles, and sometimes before departure they are seen gathered in 

 small flocks. 



It has been said of the tree-pipit's song that it is like that of the 

 canary, and that it ' is perhaps more attractive from the manner in 

 which it is given than from its actual quality.' Both statements are 

 true in a measure : that is to pay, they will be found true in many 

 instances, but not always. For there are few birds hi which the 

 song varies so much in different individuals. The reiterated, clear, 

 thin notes and trills that so closely resemble those of the caged 

 canary are heard in some songs, and not in others. As a rule, the 

 bird perches on a favourite tree, very often using the same branch, 

 and at intervals, rising into the air, ascends with rapidly-beating 

 wings, and when it attains to the highest point usually as high again 

 as the tree, but sometimes considerably higher the song begins with 

 a succession of notes resembling the throat-notes of the skylark, but 

 very much softer. With the song the descent begins, the open wings 

 fixed motionless, and so raised as to give the bird a parachute -like 

 appearance, falling slowly in a beautiful curve or spiral ; on the perch 

 the song continues, but with notes of a different quality clear, 



