Pipit. INSESSORES. ANTHUS. 263 



frequently confounded with it. The short and hooked hind 

 claw, however, of the species now under consideration, will 

 always prove a sufficient mark of distinction. The bill also 

 is rather stronger, and more dilated at the base. 



It is a migratory species, and a summer visitant with us ; Periodical 

 arriving about the first week in May, in the northern coun- 

 ties, and departing on its equatorial migration in September. 

 During its abode here, it inhabits the borders of woods in 

 the arable districts, and is never found upon the moors or 

 extensive downs, where the Meadow Pipit is always most 

 abundant. It is pretty generally, though but thinly, scatter- 

 ed through the cultivated parts of the island. Like most 

 of our summer visitants, the arrival of the male bird pre- 

 cedes that of the other sex by a week or ten days. — As soon 

 as a proper situation is found, he commences his song of in- 

 vitation, which, though possessing some similarity of note to 

 those of the two preceding species, is very superior to them 

 in compass, variety, and sweetness. This he pours forth 

 from the top of a tree, or on wing, as slowly descending to 

 the spot from whence he had previously risen. During his 

 ascent he never sings, producing only a twittering note, si- 

 milar to the word Tsee^ frequently repeated, till he arrives 

 at his highest elevation; then he commences together his 

 song and his descent, which is performed with motionless and 

 widely extended wings ; the tail at the same time being ex- 

 panded and thrown perpendicularly upwards. Montagu 

 very correctly observes, that this bird rarely ahghts upon 

 the ground, without previously perching on a tree, and that 

 it also commences its flight from a tree, after leaving the 

 ground. 



It builds its nest under the shelter of a large tuft, or a Nest, iSic. 

 small bush ; this is composed of moss, fibres of root, and 

 withered grasses, lined with fine dry grass, and horse-hair. 

 The eggs, four or five in number, are of a greyish-wliite, 

 sprinkled all over with brownish purple-red specks. 



Like the others of its genus, it runs and walks ii|>on tlic 



