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 dilference 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 w^e 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 
