THEE-PIMT. 99 



TREE-PIPIT. 



Anthus trivialis. 



This species visits us regularly early in April, many staying 

 to breed with us. though still larger numbers pass on into 

 other counties, reappearing in little parties in August, and 

 departing for the continent in September. It spreads itself 

 in pairs over the wooded and enclosed districts where there 

 are trees. 



Its song is strong, lively, and well sustained, and is mostly 

 uttered while rising from the highest point of a bush or tree 

 some thirty or forty feet in the air; after bovering for^a few 

 moments it continues to sing as it descends with quivering 

 wings and outspread tail to the spot from which it had origi- 

 nally started. Though most authors state that it breeds on 

 the ground, by far the greater number of the many nests I 

 have known have been placed in thick bushes, generally 

 brambles, some three or four feet from it. The nest is com- 

 posed of green moss and dead grass, and lined with hair. 



Its eggs vary in colour to a very remarkable extent, some 

 being very similar to those of the Blackcap, others of a dark 

 purple with still darker veins and streaks, and I have more 

 than once found them of a plain blood-red unmixed with 

 streaks, spots, or blotches. It is very seldom seen on the 

 ground, and I am not aware of any country name for it, but 

 the bird-fanciers call it the " Singing Titlark." 



B 2 



