titlark

[Eng. tit, and lark. The editor of Yarrell's British Birds (ed. 4th, i. 333, note) suggests that the first syllable of this word and of titmouse is po ibly cognate with Gr. titis =a small chirping bird.] Ornithology: A popular name for any species of the genus Anthus; spec if., Anthus pratensis , the Meadow-pipit, the smallest and commonest species of the genus. It is about six inches long; dark olive-brown, with a wash of green on the upper parts; wings very dark brown, sprinkled with white; tail brown; under-surface brownish-white, with pale rust-red tinge on the breast of the male. In the autumn the olive-green on the back becomes more conspicuous, and the under-surface is tinged with yellow. The note is rather a plaintiff "cheep" than a true song. It nests on the ground, usually in a tuft of gra , and lays four to six dark-brown eggs, freely speckled with reddish-brown.