126 OUR SUMMER MIGRANTS. 



ralists in different parts of the country, that the 

 Water Pipit [Antkus spinoletta, Linnaeus, or 

 Anthus aquaticus, Bechstein) is also an annual 

 summer migrant to our shores. At irregular 

 intervals, and in addition to these, we are occa- 

 sionally visited by Richards' Pipit, the Tawny 

 Pipit, the Red-throated Pipit, and the Pennsyl- 

 vanian Pipit. Of the two resident species, as 

 well as the Tree Pipit, it can scarcely be neces- 

 sary to say much, for their appearance and 

 habits, if not well known to all, are described in 

 almost every book on British birds. After 

 pointing out their distinguishing characters, 

 therefore, my remarks will refer chiefly to the 

 geographical distribution of the species. 



The Pipits hold an intermediate place be- 

 tween the Wagtails and Larks, having the slender 

 bill of the former, and, with one exception, the 

 long hind claw of the latter. Like these birds, 

 they live almost entirely on the ground, where 

 they seek their food, build their nests, and rear 

 their young. Low-lying meadows and marshy 

 places, the margin of tidal harbours, and the sear 



