11^ 



MEADOW-PIPIT. 



ANTHUS PRATENSIS {Linn.). 



Alauda pratensis, Linn. S. N. i. p. 287 (1766). 



Anthus pratensis, Naum. iii. p. 774 ; Macg. ii. p. 181 ; 



Hewitson, i. p. 173; Ym^r. ed. 4, i. p. 575; Dresser, iii. 



p. 285. 



Pipi des Pres, French; Wiesen-Pieper, German; Alfarfera, 

 Pasita, Titerella, Spanish. 



This little bird is a permanent resident throughout 

 Great Britain and Ireland, and, under the name of 

 Titlark, is probably as well known as any British bird. 

 In the summer it frequents uncultivated land of any 

 kind from the highest heather-clad mountains of the 

 Scottish Highlands to the pastures and meadows of 

 our southern counties ; but, in common with all other 

 insectivorous birds, shifts its quarters according to the 

 season, and may, in winter, be occasionally found in 

 great numbers on our coasts. 



The nest of the Meadow-Pipit, which is almost 

 invariably situated on the ground, is one of those most 

 frequently selected by the Cuckoo as a laying-place ; 

 and these Pipits certainly show more inimical attention 

 to this vagrant usurper than is usual with any other 

 species of my acquaintance. 



