MEADOW-PIPIT. 225 



Pipit varying from 2-9 to 3-3 inch. Pipits of similar size from the Canary 

 Islands are probably dwarf forms of tlie Water-Pipit ; but tbe Pipits from the 

 islands on the west coast of Africa have never yet been examined by any 

 competent ornithologist, and at present they are confused together under 

 the name of Anthus bertheloti. 



Pew birds are so common or well known as the Meadow-Pipit, or Tit- 

 lark as it is usually called. Although great numbers of Meadow-Pipits 

 may be found in summer in the low-lying and richly cultivated districts, 

 in marshy pastures, on commons, and lands near the sea, they are most 

 abundant during the breeding-season on the moors. In the wildest soli- 

 tudes of the mountain-heights, in company with the Dotterel and the 

 Ptarmigan, or lower down the hill-sides on the broad tablelands of heath 

 with the Red Grouse and the Curlew, this bird is equally at home, and 

 there is scarcely a marshy spot that does not contain a pair. In the 

 remotest parts of the Highlands and on the islets of the rough wild 

 western sea the Meadow- Pipit is often the only land-bird to be seen. It 

 is a restless little creature, and seems bent on thrusting itself into notice. 

 The favourite haunt of this bird is the breezy moors, and there, perhaps, 

 its habits, at the most interesting period of its existence, are best observed. 

 In early April, when the uplands first show signs of spring, the Meadow- 

 Pipits in great numbers quit their low-lying winter-quarters and repair to 

 them for the purpose of rearing their young. Soon after their arrival the 

 male bird commences his song, and in some districts so abundant are they 

 that the air is alive with fluttering Pipits, and their simple little strain is 

 heard borne on the breeze from all parts of the moors. They may be seen 

 sitting on low walls, boulders of rock, stunted bushes or heather-stems, 

 ever and anon sallying into the air, fluttering upwards for a short distance, 

 then returning to their perches, warbling as they descend. Sometimes, 

 but not often, the bird will warble as it sits. In many respects the song 

 and habits of the Meadow-Pipit resemble those of the Tree-Pipit, but are 

 much less interesting. The song is not nearly so rich nor so loud, and is 

 much less varied; it is also much shorter, and, according to Dixpn's 

 observations, is only warbled on the bird^s downward flight, the preliminary 

 notes which it often utters in ascending being repetitions of its caU-note. 

 Its call-note is a low but very clear ist, often rapidly repeated, and its alarm- 

 note is a short whit. The Meadow-Pipit does not perch on trees so much 

 as the Tree-Pipit, and its flight is swift and undulating, somewhat like 

 that of a Wagtail, but the curves are shorter. 



The Meadow-Pipit pairs very early in the season, soon after its arrival 

 at its breeding-place, but the nest is not generally commenced before the 

 middle or end of April. The nest is always on the ground, and generally 

 well concealed; it is often placed on a slope amongst rank herbage, 

 sometimes at the foot of a little willow bush, or under a bank, in a similar 



VOL, II. ^ 



