224 anthid,e. 



THE TREE PIPIT. 



Anthus arboreus, Bechst. 

 Alauda trivialis, Linn. 

 „ minor, Lath. 



Is not satisfactorily known as an Irish species. 



On April 12th, 1827, I for some time gave attention to a bird at 

 "the Falls," that from general appearance, manner of singing, 

 &c, I concluded must be of this species, as described by Mr. 

 Selby. One or two ornithological friends likewise, have similarly 

 observed pipits in the neighbourhood of Belfast, which they pre- 

 sumed to be the A. arborens, but specimens have not been ob- 

 tained for examination. It is believed to have bred, about Balli- 

 tore, county of Kildare, * and at Eaheny near Dublin ; in the latter 

 locality in the summer of 1847, but could not be met with in 

 1848.t 



Possibly the tree pipit may be alluded to in the following pas- 

 sage from Smith's History of Cork, published in 1774 (p. 338, 

 2nd edit.) : — "The Alauda pratorum, Aldrov., or titlark, which is 

 in England a bird of passage, is a stranger to Ireland. Dr. Rutty 

 informs me that an eminent bird-catcher is now introducing them 

 as a novelty in Dublin, being in much esteem for their sweet note. 

 Another species, called the pippit or Alauda minor, whose legs are 

 yellow, and a smaller kind of lark, is a constant attendant to the 

 cuckoo, as a good bird-catcher assures us." 



The tree pipit is a regular summer visitant to England and 

 Wales, but would seem not to be generally diffused over those 

 countries. The first heard of by Mr. Macgillivray, as met with in 

 Scotland, was killed in 1833, and two others in addition to it, arc 

 all known to that author to have occurred there (vol. ii. p. 190). 

 Sir Wm. Jar dine merely notices its appearance "in the middle 

 and northern parts of Scotland." (B. B. vol. ii. p. 206.) 



* Mr. R. Davis. t M. R. J. Montgomery. 



