Pipits and W agtails. 323 



with its tail, are then outspread whilst the song is uttered. At its close it again seeks its former 

 perch. This bird, being very tamable as well as sociable, will thrive in an aviary, where also its 

 graceful carriage will be better displayed. 



The Tree Pipit, being fond of water, is often found near a pond or stream. It also bathes, 

 not dusting itself so much as the Skylark. Its food when wild consists of insects and their larvae, 

 especially flies, caterpillars, and worms ; and it therefore thrives best in confinement upon the food 

 recommended for the Woodlark. The nest is generally found beneath a tuft of grass, in and 

 about a small copse or plantation, and the young should be fed and treated similarly to young 

 Nightingales ; but we would recommend, in preference to those reared from the nest, a bird caught 

 in the autumn. 



The Meadow Pipit was formerly included with the Larks, and the error still prevails in 

 many districts — it being commonly known by the name of Titlark. This bird is much more 

 common than the preceding, which, however, it greatly resembles in appearance, though smaller, 

 and of a more decided olive-green colour on the back, whilst the breast is not so bright a buff. 

 Over the whole of England this hardy bird may be found, whether on hills or in the valleys. 

 Being docile and easily tamed, it would do well in an aviary of insect-eating birds. The food 

 recommended for the Tree Pipit is equally good for this bird, as their food and habits when wild 

 are somewhat similar. 



The Rock Pipit is very nearly allied to the Meadow and Tree Pipits in its mode of flight 

 and song ; it is, however, larger in size than those birds, and its plumage is olive-brown, lighter on 

 the throat and breast. Though called the Rock Pipit, this bird also frequents low flat shores in 

 the vicinity of the sea, feeding on the marine insects that are left by the receding tide. 



We find from experience that it will thrive upon Woodlark's food. 



The Water Pipit, though supposed to be very uncommon, is often to be met with. We 

 have taken as many as fifty in a season. It may generally be found upon the sea-shore, among 

 the sea-weed that has been cast up by the waves ; and is hardy enough to brave an English 

 winter. It is a larger bird than either of the preceding ; its plumage is slate-colour on the upper 

 part, shaded with dark olive-brown ; the wings and tail olive-brown ; the under part is greyish- 

 white, shaded on the breast with a beautiful salmon-pink, slightly streaked with grey. 



' When wild its food consists of flies, gnats, and aquatic insects and their larvae ; but we find it 

 will thrive upon such food as is recommended for the Woodlark. One we have now in our aviary 

 has been so fed for upwards of a year. 



The Richard's Pipit and Tawny Pipit are fine handsome birds, somewhat uncommon in 

 these islands, but well worthy the attention of any one possessed of an aviary, when we would 

 recommend they be fed and treated the same as Woodlarks. 



The Pied Wagtail is an elegant bird, but unfortunately has not much song to recommend 

 it to notice ; yet its plumage is so very striking as to always make it a prominent attraction to an 

 aviary, whilst its light and airy carriage, combined with the eccentric motion of the tail, from 

 which its name is derived, is very interesting. This bird is often found near water, either wading 

 in the shallows, or, sylph-like, alighting on the lily leaves whilst in search of aquatic insects or 

 'arvae, although not disdaining flies and gnats or such-like insects, which latter often fall victims 



