PIPIT, TITLING, or TITLARK, Anaus, a genus of birds included by Linnaeus among larks (alauda); but now regarded as forming even a distinct family, anthidce, which is ranked among the denti rostres, whilst the lark family (alaudida) is ranked among the conirostres. The bill is more slender than in larks; the tips of the mandibles slightly bent downwa rds and notched. The hind-claw is long, although not so long as in larks, and more or less curved. The plumage resembles that of larks; in habits and motion of the tail, there is it greater resemblance to wagtails. The bill is not strong enough for feeding on grain or hard seeds, and insects and worms are the principal food of pipits. The most com mon British species is the MEADOW PIPIT, COMMON TITLARK, or TITLING (A. pratensi8), familiarly known in many parts of England and of Scotland as the moss-elleeper. It is found in almost all parts of Europe. and the n. of Asia, in western India, in Japan, and in Iceland. It is a small bird, its color brown of various shades. It frequents
heaths, mosses, and pastures; and usually makes its nest on a grassy bank, or beside a tuft of Fps or heath. .Its song is weak and plaintive, and it generally sings in the air. It is gregarious in winter. The cuckoo is said to deposit its eggs more frequently in the nest of the meadow pipit than in that of any other British bird.—A rather larger British species is the TREE PIPIT, or FIELD TITLING, which has a shorter claw, and perches on trees, frequenting inclosed and wooded districts. It is a summer visitant of Britan, and most common in the s. of England.' It occurs in most parts of Europe, in Asia, and the n. of Africa.—The rock pipit, or SEA TITLING (A. petroses), is to be found on the shores of all parts of Britain and Ireland. It is rather larger than the tree pipit, and has a long curved hind-claw. It feeds chiefly on small marine. animals, seeking its food close to the edge of the retiring tide.