MEADOW-PIPIT.
ANTHUS P R A TE N S IS (Linn.).
Alauda pratensis, Linn. S .N . i. p. 287 (1766).
Anthus pratensis, Naum. iii. p. 774; Macg. ii. p. 181 ;
Hewitson, i. p. 173; Yarr. ed. 4, i. p„ 575; Dresser, iii.
p. 285.
Pipi des Prés, French; Wiesen-Pieper, German; Alfarfera,
Pasita, Titerella, Spanish.
This little bird is. a permanent resident throughout
Great Britain and Ireland, and, under the name of
Titlark, is probably as well known as any British bird.
In the summer it frequents uncultivated land of any
kind from the highest heather-clad mountains of the
Scottish Highlands to the pastures and meadows of
our southern counties ; but, in common with all other
insectivorous birds, shifts its quarters according to the
season, and may, in winter, be occasionally found in
great numbers on our coasts.
The nest of the Meadow-Pipit, which is almost
invariably situated on the ground, is one of those most
frequently selected by the Cuckoo as a laying-place;
and these Pipits certainly show more inimical attention
to this vagrant usurper than is usual with any other
species of my acquaintance.
J. & Keuleraaivs d e l. e t lith..