TREE PIPIT. 4.23 
M. Becusrern separated the Pipits from the true Larks, 
and proposed the generic term of Anthus for the former ; 
this division and name have been generally adopted ; it 
would still further assist correct definition, if among our- 
selves the term Titlark could be discontinued entirely ; the 
Tree Pipit being called the Titlark by some, the Meadow 
Pipit a Titlark by others, and round the sea coast where 
the Rock Pipit is generally the most frequent of the three, 
that is also called Titlark. Scarcely any two British 
Birds have been so frequently confounded together as the 
Tree and the Meadow Pipits; but when the two species 
are examined in hand, distinctions will be found that are 
sufficiently obvious and constant; and there are besides 
differences in the habits of these birds, as well as in the 
localities they each frequent. The Tree Pipit is rather the 
larger bird of the two; the beak is stouter and stronger ; 
the spots on the breast larger and fewer in number ; the 
claw of the hind toe is not so long as the toe itself; the ter- 
tial feathers of the wings are rather longer in proportion 
to the primaries; the white on the outer tail-feather on 
each side is neither so pure in colour, nor is it spread over 
so large a portion of the feather; and, as far as my own 
observation goes, it does not appear to be so numerous as 
a species as the Meadow Pipit. 
The Tree Pipit is a summer visitor to this country, ar- 
riving about the third week in April, and frequents the 
enclosed and wooded districts of England; it is not un- 
common around London, and I have observed it frequently 
in the highly cultivated and wooded parts of Kent. The 
male has a pretty song, perhaps more attractive from the 
manner in which it is given than the quality of the song 
itself. He generally sings while perched on the top of 
a bush, or one of the upper branches of an elm-tree 
standing in a hedge row, from which, if watched for a 
