izs Bird - Lore
(Idiot—Many of the VVagtails wear rather striking costumes of black and white or yellow, but Pipits are rather Lark<like in color, dull brown— ish above: whitish, streaked below.
Exli-r/ml Strurtllrn—Like the Larks, the Wagtails and Pipits have the hind toenails much lengthened, but the bill is more slender than that of the Larks, the nostrils are not covered by bristly tufts, and the back of the tarsus is thin, not rounded, as in front.
Appearance and Habits— The xllflftlfillidli are terres- trial birds, antl consequently walkers, a trait which is a field aid in distinguishing the Pipit from certain ground- haunting Sparrows, while from the equally terrestrial Larks. Wagtails and Pipits are to be distinguished by their habit of
AMERICAN PIPIT, Family .‘Iulnnllultz mm- .mm mm] mi wagging or tetenng their
tails Swazi—The Pipit, like most terrestrial birds, usually sings on the wing, but sometimes delivers its short whistled song from the ground. As a migrant it utters only a faint (leeAdre when taking wing or passing overhead.
The Young Observers’ Prize Essay Contest
\Ve trust that all Young Observers will pardon the delay in report- ing on their essays sent in competition for the prizes announced in BIRDeLORE for April and June, when they learn that it is due to the Editor's absence on a bird—study journey in the Bahamas
Returning, he finds numerous contributions on the birds of February and March, and the birds of April and Why, and, as usual in similar cases. finds much Llifiiculty in deci ing just which are the best. It was only, therefore, after careful consideration that it was decided to award the prize for the best essay on the Birds of February and March to Master Vincent E. Gorinan, of NIontclair, New Jersey, while the prize for the best essay on the Birds of April and May goes to Master Archie Walker, of Andrews, North Carolina. Master Walker's essay appears in this number of BIRD-LORE as somewhat more seasonable than that by Master German, which will be published in due time.
Among the essays received we especially Commend those by the follow-
