TREE PIPIT. 



3 



of a darker red, which produce a net-like, or reticulated ap- 

 pearance ; this egg is much smaller in size, but has the same 

 characteristic form. In these eggs there is no difference in 

 colour or intensity between the larger and the smaller ends. 

 We may observe that the variation of colour in the eggs of all 

 our common pipits is very remarkable. The locality chosen 

 for the Tree Pipit's nest is among high grass or young wheat, 

 clover or other low herbage, on the borders of woods or 

 thickets. 



The moult of this species takes place in August, and in 

 September it commences its southward journey. 



The Tree Pipit is found to inhabit sparingly most of the 

 enclosed and wooded parts of England and Wales, but appears 

 to be more frequently seen in the southern, than in the 

 northern counties. It penetrates, nevertheless, in summer, 

 as far to the north as Sweden and Norway, retiring from 

 thence early in autumn. This species is very plentiful in 

 summer in the central parts of Europe, where hilly and moun- 

 tainous traets, partly covered with forests, occur ; it abounds 

 in the neighbourhood of the Hartz mountains, and also in the 

 forests in Thuringia, is plentiful in France, and in Switzer- 

 land equally common, being found upon the mountains as far 

 up as the forests or wooded tracts extend. It is found, be- 

 sides, in most of the temperate and warmer parts of Europe, 

 but probably retires beyond the fortieth degree of north lati- 

 tude in winter. The most northern part we are aware of its 

 inhabiting at that season is Corfu, where, according to Mr. 

 Drummond, it is very common in the winter months, but rare 

 in summer. 



In its summer dress the upper plumage of this bird is hair- 

 brown, the edges of the feathers lighter than their centres. 

 The wings are deep brown, the quill-feathers narrowly edged 

 with a paler tint, the secondaries, tertials, and greater coverts 

 more broadly edged, and the first row of lesser coverts dis- 



