6 
identifying this species with his description.” Captain Beavan met with it commonly in the cold 
weather about Barrackpore and in Maunbhoom—in the former locality in bamboo-topes, and in 
the latter amongst mango-trees, and says that the natives of Maunbhoom call it “ Chancheeree,” 
or “Chanseeree.” Mr. Blanford (Ibis, 1870, p. 469) records it from the Irawadi valley, where he 
met with it at Thayet Myo and Bassein. It does not appear to leave some parts of India till 
late in the spring, as Mr. W. E. Brooks writes (Ibis, 1869, p. 57) that he frequently saw it near 
Nynee Tal and Almorah as late as April and May, but he thinks that it passes further north to 
breed ; and doubtless those which are found so numerous in the plains of India are birds which 
have spent the nuptial season in the more northern portions of Asia. It certainly breeds in 
Eastern Siberia, but does not appear to range very far to the north. Won Middendorff never 
met with it in the high north, but found it common in the woods on the Stanowoj Mountains, 
along the coast of the Sea of Ochotsk, and on the islands. It was also equally numerous on the 
Lena, near Jakutsk. Von Schrenck met with it commonly, and shot several, near the Nikolaiefsk 
post in the late summer. In the spring Mr. Maximowicz obtained it at Kidsi and Dshai, and on 
the Schilka in May. Dr. Radde states that he saw large numbers on the Tarei-nor on the 24th 
of April, but on the Tunkinskischen Mountains he did not observe it before the 6th of May. On 
the return migration he met with it in the Bureja Mountains from the 3lst of August to the 
20th of September. It is recorded by Pére David and Mr. Swinhoe from China; and according 
to the latter gentleman it is there a winter visitant, few, if any, ever remaining to breed. He 
speaks of having observed it at Foochow, Takoo, Peking, Amoy, Hongkong, Macao, and Canton, 
and, referring to its occurrence at the latter places, writes (Ibis, 1861, p. 36) as follows:— 
‘“‘ Numbers of this lively species are constantly to be met with among the grass and underwood 
beneath the small pine-trees at Hongkong. As you stroll through a plantation of these firs, the 
little fellows spring up with a note ‘see’ (strongly sibilant), and with a curved flight alight on 
the branches above, on which they walk up and down, often uttering their note and shaking 
the tail. Each step you take puts up one at least; and as soon as you have passed, they drop 
quietly on to the ground behind you, and resume their pursuit of food.” Near Takoo and 
Peking he found it common in the month of September, but did not see any later than that. 
He speaks of it as abundant in the winter in the island of Formosa, in all groves and copses, and 
equally common in Hainan, where he observed it at most of the places he visited, but supposes 
that, as in Southern China, it is only a winter visitant. Messrs. Temminck and Schlegel met 
with it in Japan; and Wallace obtained it at Batchian. 
Tn its habits the Tree-Pipit differs from the Meadow-Pipit in affecting gardens, groves, and 
wooded places, or the immediate vicinity of woods and thickets, in preference to the open grassy 
localities or heaths, where the latter bird is always to be met with. I have, it is true, sometimes 
seen it in the open, but never far distant from trees or bushes ; and it is generally met with, when 
feeding, on the ground underneath trees, and when disturbed flies up and perches amongst 
the branches. It affects open places in conifer groves or places thinly covered with trees and 
overgrown with heath or broom, or where blueberries or cranberries are found growing in 
abundance. 
The call-note of the Tree-Pipit is a clear loud note, but somewhat harsh, and is frequently 
to be heard at all seasons; it differs from the call-note of the Meadow-Pipit in being deeper in 
