BIRDS 113 



certain that it was not a Grey Wagtail — a species constantly 

 under their observation — but 'a summer Yellow Wagtail.' 

 This occurred in 1890. 



MEADOW PIPIT. 



Anthus pratensis (L. ). 



The Meadow Pipit is the commonest of birds on our hills 

 during the summer-time. Whatever fell you choose to cross, 

 you are equally certain to disturb this restless bird from the 

 heather or tussocky ground, to watch its jerking flight across 

 the moor, and to hear its short, squeaking call-note uttered on 

 the wing. Nor is it confined to the high grounds, since it rears 

 its young upon the beach of our western seaboard, only a few 

 feet above high-water mark. A good many pairs breed also on 

 our mosses and in rough meadows recently reclaimed. On the 

 coast I have often been pleased to see the activity and grace 

 with which the Meadow Pipits pursued small flies and other 

 insects on the tangles deposited on our sea sands after a heavy 

 gale — so closely does this Pipit approach the Rock Pipit in 

 some of its habits. The numbers of Meadow Pipits which pass 

 through Lakeland in March and April on vernal passage appear 

 to exceed the number that nest on our moors, common as the 

 species is. 



TREE PIPIT. 



Anthus trivialis (L.). 



The Tree Pipit is not as abundant in the north of Lancashire 

 or the southern parts of Westmorland as the presence of large 

 parks full of old timber and sunny slopes would lead us to 

 expect. In 1891 I found several pairs established at Hevers- 

 ham, and others at Levens and Rampside, but the species 

 seemed to be distinctly scarce. I do not think, however, that 

 the species was up to its usual numbers last season, even in 

 Cumberland, which includes many favourite haunts of this 

 arboreal Pipit. It is not in any true sense a bird of the high 

 fells, but it does breed thinly all along the base of the east fells, 

 at any rate from Appleby northwards. It was in the hay -fields 



H 



