THE TREE PIPIT. 



Anthus arboreus, Bechst. 



No bird (observes Montagu) has been more 

 confounded than this species of Lark. It visits 

 this country in the spring, but is rarely seen till 

 the beginning of May, and is most frequently mis- 

 taken for the Meadow Pipit, to which it bears great 

 resemblance in plumage and habits ; but as a spe- 

 cial mark of distinction, the base of the bill in 

 this is broader, and the hind claw is much shorter, 

 and more hooked : the throat and breast are also 

 much more inclined to yellow than the Meadow 

 Pipit is found to be in spring. 



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. 



The Tree Pipit is by no means plentiful, but 

 appears to be thinly scattered over most of the 

 enclosed parts of England ; is never met with on 

 moors or downs, where the Meadow Pipit is most 

 frequent. Its song is vastly superior to that bird, 

 though somewhat similar : this it delivers from the 

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

 to the ground. From the beginning of May to 



