TREE PIPIT. 



517 



spring. But it must be remarked, that the meadow pipit assumes much 

 of the yellowish hue in the winter, which has occasioned Mr. Lewin 

 and others to conclude that the Tree Pipit bird is found with us in that 

 season ; and the same author has evidently given the figure of the 

 meadow pipit for the sky lark, by the length and straitness of the hind 

 claw. 



The bill and hind claw of this bird are unerring marks of distinction, 

 by which it may at once be discriminated from the other. Its legs are 

 also uniformly of the same pale yellowish-brown colour, never becoming 

 dusky, as in the matured birds of the other species. 



We have been more particular in describing the difference between 

 these two species, as we have frequently received one for the other. 

 Dr. Latham shewed us several larks that were sent to him out of 

 Yorkshire, amongst which one of this species was marked meadow 

 pipit, and two of those birds called sky lark and pipit. 



Mr. Pennant says the birdcatchers about London take a bird in the 

 autumn they call pipit, but does not describe it. We have great reason 

 to believe that the bird so called is the meadow pipit of this work, 

 certainly not the grasshopper warbler, which we believe has been called 

 pipit; nor is it likely to be the Tree Pipit, which leaves us at that season 

 in the same solitary manner it comes to us, and is never known to be 

 gregarious in this country. 



The meadow pipits assemble in small flocks in autumn, and remain 

 with us the whole year, which Mr. Lewin denies ; and we mention this as 

 another proof that he has completely confounded the two species. But 

 this need scarcely be insisted on, for it is obvious, when he asserts " that 

 the hind claw of the field lark is longer and stouter than in the tit- 

 lark." 



The Tree Pipit is by no means plentiful, but appears to be thinly scat- 

 tered over most of the enclosed parts of England ; is never met with on 

 the moors or downs where the meadow pipit is most frequent. Its song 

 is vastly superior to that bird, though something similar ; this it deli- 

 vers from the branch of a tree, or on the wing, as it is descending to 

 the ground. From the beginning of May to July, it may be seen mount- 

 ing in the air in a fluttering manner, at the same time uttering a twit- 

 tering note, and then descending to some neighbouring tree with motion- 

 less wing and the tail thrown up. At this time it sings, but never 

 when rising. And it is observable that it rarely pitches on the ground 

 again until it has perched, and it always mounts in the like manner 

 from a tree before it descends to the ground. 



The meadow pipit, it is true, has much of these manners, but after 



