NATURE'S CAROL SINGERS. 



THE TREE PIPIT. 



We have three Pipits 

 breeding in the British Is- 

 lands — viz. the Meadow, 

 Rock, and Tree, which are 

 all very well named accord- 

 ing to their respective habits. 

 Owing, however, to their 

 similarity of general appear- 

 ance, the two latter species 

 are frequently mistaken for 

 the first, and described as 

 Titlarks. 



The plumage of the Tree 

 Pipit is sandy brown in colour, streaked 

 with dark brown above, hght buff 

 with streaky dark brown spots on 

 breast, and dull white on the under 

 parts. It is rather larger than the 

 Meadow Pipit, its colours are brighter, 

 and it has a curved hind claw which is 

 shorter than the toe from which it 

 springs, whereas in the case of its rela- 

 tive the Meadow Pipit the hind claw is 

 long and nearly straight. This shows a 



