336 
PASSERIFORMES 
Distinctions. The fine warbler-like bill, together with the long hind claw, are dis- 
tinctive. The only other birds with such a claw are the Horned Larks and the Lapland 
Longspur, but the horns of the one (Figure 399, page 297) and the sparrow-like bill of the 
other make differentiation as a pipit simple. Separated from Sprague’s Pipit by its prac- 
tically uniform grey or dull olive back, and by its ruddy, or dull-buffy, instead of creamy, 
colour below. 
Bill and foot of American Pipit;. Figure 420 
long hind claw. American Pipit; natural size. 
Field .Marks. A ground-coloured bird, seen in the open in settled parts of Canada 
in the spring and autumn, often in large scattered flocks like the Snow Bunting and Horned 
Lark. Its even coloration, constant habit of tail dipping, and the conspicuous white 
outer fail feathers are good field marks from all species except Sprague’s Pipit. Its gre- 
gariousness and its habitat of bare ground, sand dunes, or mud flats are good guides to 
identity. 
Nesting. On the ground in nest of grasses. 
DistributioJi. Northern North America, west Greenland, and eastern Siberia, breeding 
from the Arctics south to the limit of trees. 
A spring and late autumn migrant, occurring sometimes in large 
flocks and feeding in open meadows, ploughed fields, or on dry, sandy 
uplands and shores. On its breeding grounds it has the skylark-like habit 
of mounting and singing high in the air and descending in a perpendicular 
dive, like a falling stone. 
Economic Status. Coming as it does when the fields are bare, and 
returning after the harvest, its food is necessarily confined to weed seeds 
and early or belated insects. Its effect must be beneficial. 
700. Sprague’s Pipit, American skylark. Missouri skylark, le pipit de 
sprague. Anthus spraguei. L, 6-50. A generally dry-earth coloured Pipit, streaked and 
variegated above with brown and creamy ochres; below even, creamy ochre, slightly 
warmer on breast where it is somewhat sharply streaked with brown. 
Distinctions. Dull, soft coloration in simple design; warbler-like bill and long hind 
toe as a Pipit. Streaked or variegated above as Sprague’s. 
Field Marks. In life, not likely to be confused with its closest relative the American 
Pipit as it is a grass-haunter seldom seen when on the ground, and does not gather in 
flocks. As it rises from the grass it is more like a female longspur or, because of its simple 
white outer tail feathers, a Vesper Sparrow. However, it has an entirely different habit of 
flight and instead of alighting shortly it is more likely to climb into the upper air and 
vanish overhead. 
Nesting. On the ground in domed nest of grass. 
Distribution. Interior plains of North America. In Canada breeding in the prairie 
regions from Manitoba to Alberta north to the edge of the northern woodlands. 
The Song of Sprague’s Pipit is unmistakable. Flitting around in wide 
circles, so high in the air as to be an all but invisible speck, it repeats over 
and over again in a thin sweet voice its simple little song. A “ Ching,-ring 
ring, -ring ,-ring, -ring, -ring, -ring” on a steadily descending scale, dropping 
