5 
from Anthus pratensis. Independent of climatal changes, you must be aware that this class of 
bird is subject to material variations in plumage according to season and age.” Sir R. H. 
Schomburgk states (Ibis, 1864, p. 249) that it is found in Siam; but it is most probable that the 
bird he obtained was not the present species, but A. cervinus. 
The Meadow-Pipit (or Titlark, as it is usually called) is certainly one of the best-known of 
our European birds, especially here in Great Britain, where it is common in almost every part of 
the country, frequenting pastures, fields under cultivation, grassy and sedgy moors and downs 
close to the sea-shore, and almost invariably open localities, shunning the forest growth or bushy 
districts. It is also found in damp tracts and on moors at a considerable elevation in moun- 
tainous districts; and in travelling on foot through such localities it is one of the birds most 
frequently flushed. When disturbed it flies up quickly, and flutters about with a peculiar jerky 
flight, continually uttering its sharp, shrill, chirping call-note. It appears to affect any small 
damp patch; and I have frequently seen it in such places, even amongst the barren sandhills in 
close proximity to the sea. In the autumn and winter it deserts the more elevated localities and 
descends to the grassy lowlands, and it may then more frequently be met with on the sea-shore 
or near inhabited places; and Mr. Cecil Smith remarks that at the season of the year when the 
sheep are in the turnip-fields it is a most constant frequenter of the sheep-fold, never mind how 
wet and muddy, or how hard and frosty the ground may be. During snow and hard weather it 
likewise resorts to the margins of streams or portions of marshes which have remained unfrozen ; 
but during a continuance of hard weather it suffers very much, probably as much owing to the 
difficulty of obtaining food as to the cold itself. ‘Though essentially a ground-bird, I have some- 
times seen it perch on a tree or bush, and it not unfrequently sits on a wall or large stone. At 
night it seeks shelter amongst the grass, or under a bush or tuft of heath, and always roosts on the 
ground. When in search of food it walks with short steps and with ease, keeping the body low, 
and when alarmed will either crouch until the danger has passed or spring up suddenly, flying 
off with a jerky wavering flight. Asa rule it is by no means shy or difficult of approach; but 
it is suspicious ; and if it sees that it is being pursued, it is not by any means so easy to approach 
within range of it. During the summer season the food of the Meadow-Pipit consists almost 
exclusively of insects and their larve; but in the winter it varies its diet to some extent by the 
addition of seeds, though when insect food is to be obtained it is doubtless always preferred; and 
it is not improbable that it frequents the sheep-folds and farm-yards during the winter to obtain 
any insects that may be there. They pair tolerably early, and raise two broods during the season, 
the first eggs being deposited in April, and the second lot about the middle of May; but my 
friend Mr. Carl Sachse informs me that he has seen one feeding young, which were not ready to 
leave the nest, as late as September. So soon as the warm weather sets in, and the flocks have 
broken up into pairs, the male commences to sing, its song being sweet, though not powerful. 
Macgillivray very faithfully describes the song as ‘‘ being composed of a series of sharp modulated 
notes, which it utters on wing, first ascending silently (or emitting only its usual chirp) to the 
height of about twenty yards, and then descending with expanded wings and tail. Sometimes 
also it sings when perched on a stone or crag. Its song may be heard from the middle of April 
to the end of July. During the breeding-season the male is easily alarmed, and flutters over an 
intruder, emitting its shrill notes; but while incubating, the female will allow a person to walk 
92 
od 
Zag 
