MEADOW PIPIT. 7 



not restrict itself to such parts. On the contrary, the Meadow 

 Pipit is widely and numerously distributed over the country, 

 being found in all descriptions of meadow and grass land, in 

 stubble, or in corn-fields ; in fallow, as well as in cultivated 

 districts. Waste grass lands in low and swampy districts, 

 and widely extended upland downs, of a certain elevation, 

 are equally its resort, preferring, however, the more low and 

 sheltered parts in severe weather. 



In its manners the Meadow Pipit bears much resemblance 

 to the wagtails : like them, it runs quickly upon the ground, 

 and when sitting perched, as is frequently its custom, upon a 

 clod of earth, it moves its tail up and down continually. 



The flight of this species is quick, and apparently pursued 

 with great ease, its broad wings sustaining its light and slender 

 form with great buoyancy. While on the wing it frequently 

 utters a shrill peep ! peep ! from whence the name Pipit is 

 probably derived. 



The Meadow Pipit sings both when standing upon the 

 ground, and on the wing ; and it rises, like the tree-pipit, 

 to a little height in the air, and descends singing : its voice is 

 sweet and soft, but feeble. When caged, the male bird of 

 this species sings very prettily, and always when standing or 

 running upon the ground. He hurries over his short and 

 gentle song with much rapidity, and as if unconscious himself 

 of the act of singing : not like the wood-lark, who, although 

 he also sings when on the ground, appears himself a pleased 

 and attentive listener to his own sweet melody. The song of 

 the Meadow Pipit, although pleasing, appears to admit of 

 very little variety. 



These birds in autumn associate much with larks, and 

 with them frequent fallow and stubble fields, fields of turnips 

 or of young wheat, and are sometimes caught by bird-catchers 

 in their lark nets : they bear confinement well, and their 

 manners are gentle and pleasing. They should be fed and 



