27S cassell's book of birds. 



frequent the woods. They perch upon the highest branches of a tree, from which they ascend into 

 the air, uttering a twittering note at each extension of the wings. They send forth their song during 

 their descent, which they perform with wings extended and tail erected, till they again reach the tree, 

 where they continue a short time after perching, and then descend to the ground in the same 

 manner. They generally build their nests in plantations, at the root of a tree, and amongst long 

 grass. It is very difficult to discover them, as they are so cunningly cjn'cealed, and as the birds 

 generally run several yards from them before they mount into the air. The nest in which I caught 

 the old ones being in a park grazed by cattle, and very near a plantation, afforded me an excellent 

 opportunity of observing their motions. 'When they fed their young ones, which they did with flies, 

 caterpillars, and worms, they always alighted at the distance of twenty or thirty feet from their nests, 

 cowering, and making zig-zag windings, and now and then putting up their heads and looking around 

 them with the greatest anxiety and circumspection. They are seldom met with in my neighbourhood ; 

 and, in the long space of fourteen years, I have seen only two or three of their nests." 



" The Indian Tree Pipit," says Jerdon, " is very similar to its European congener, but appears 

 to differ slightly. It is found over all India in the cold season, for it is a winter visitant, only coming 

 early in October and departing about the end of April. It frequents gardens, groves, thin tree 

 jungle, also occasionally grain-fields, beds of woody streams, &c. It is social in its habits, many 

 birds being generally found together. It usually feeds on the ground on various insects, and also on 

 seeds, but, on being disturbed, flies up at once to the nearest tree. It now and then feeds on trees, 

 hopping about the upper branches, and occasionally snapping at an insect on the wing. It is said by 

 the natives to kill many mosquitoes, hence many of its native names. Mr. Blyth says he has seen 

 small parties of these birds flying over their haunts, in a restless unsettled way, now and then alighting 

 on a tree, uttering a slight chirp, and continuing this till nearly dark. The flesh of this species is used 

 by falconers as a restorative to the Bhagri, and is said to be very delicate. It is taken in numbers 

 for the table in Bengal and elsewhere, and sold as Ortolan.'' 



THE ROCK PIPIT. 

 The Rock Pipit, Shore Pipit, or Sea Titling {Anthus fic/rosus, or aquaticus), is deep olive- 

 grey, spotted faintly with blackish grey on the back and greyish white upon the lower portion of the 

 body, the sides of the breast being spotted with dark olive-brown ; a light grey streak passes over the 

 eyes, and the wing is enlivened by the light grey borders ; the eye is dark brown. This species is 

 from six inches and three-quarters to seven inches long, and from eleven and a quarter to eleven and 

 a half broad ; the wing measures three inches and a half, and the tail two and three-quarters. The 

 claw of the hinder toe is long and very much curved. Unlike their congeners, the Rock Pipits 

 inhabit mountain ranges, and only descend upon the plains during their migrations. In the Swiss 

 Alps they are exceedingly common birds. " In spring," says Tschudi, " this species appears upon 

 such parts of the mountains as are free from snow, and in summer large flocks seek safety from 

 the violent storms that frequently break over the Alps in more sheltered situations. As winter 

 approaches, and the cold becomes more severe, they venture down into the plains beneath, and 

 occupy marsh-land and the neighbourhood of lakes or streams." In Great Britain they remain upon 

 the coast throughout the year, and are seldom seen at any great distance from the sea ; how far north 

 they wander seems uncertain, for it is at present undecided whether the Shore Pipit (Antkus 

 rupestris), a bird found throughout the whole of Scandinavia, is the same, or merely a nearly allied 

 species. During the breeding season the Rock Pipits entirely lay aside the timidity they exhibit at 

 other times, and boldly approach any intruder on their privacy, flapping their wings as they fly about 

 him, and uttering loud and anxious cries. Their pleasing song, which is heard about the end of July, 



