206 
THEE PIPIT. 
last, never remaining with us during the wintei 
It arrives in its spring migration sometime during 
May, according to the locality, and retires again 
towards the end of September guided by the 
same influences, appearing thus considerably 
earlier in the south of England than what it does 
in the middle and northern parts of Scotland. 
It is not an unfrequent species, but is much less 
common than the last ; and even in those districts 
where its abundance is greatest, the numbers 
are comparatively small. It frequents partially 
wooded lands, and the borders of woods and 
copses, and is soon discovered by the practice of 
its song, and of the flight common to the group. 
The first is always heard with delight by the 
ornithologist, and can scarcely remain unnoticed 
by any lover of the country or observer of the 
habits of its creatures ; but though the most 
varied in its compass of those of its British 
allies, it still contains only a few notes, and it is 
somewhat indebted to the conspicuous manner in 
which it is uttered, and the generally pleasing 
character of its favourite localities, for the interest 
it excites in its hearers. In flight it rises in the 
air, uttering a single tremulous note, and having 
attained its elevation, again singing, it slowly 
descends with motionless wing, and perches on 
some neighbouring tree. The nest is placed under 
a bank, at the root of a tree or bush, and is care- 
fully constructed in the inside. The eggs are 
subject to great variety, varying in ground 
colour from grayish brown to brownish purple. 
