Pip·it n. Zool. Any one of numerous species of small singing birds belonging to Anthus and allied genera, of the family Motacillidæ. They strongly resemble the true larks in habits, colors, and the great length of the hind claw. They are, therefore, often called titlarks, and pipit larks.
Note: ☞ The meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis); the tree pipit, or tree lark (Anthus trivialis); and the rock pipit, or sea lark (Anthus obscurus) are well-known European species. The common American pipit, or brown lark, is Anthus Pensilvanicus. The Western species (Anthus Spraguei) is called the American skylark, on account of its musical powers.
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Sky·lark n. Zool. A lark that mounts and sings as it files, especially the common species (Alauda arvensis) found in Europe and in some parts of Asia, and celebrated for its melodious song; -- called also sky laverock. See under Lark.
Note: ☞ The Australian skylark (Cincloramphus cantillans) is a pipit which has the habit of ascending perpendicularly like a skylark, but it lacks the song of a true lark. The Missouri skylark is a pipit (Anthus Spraguei) of the Western United States, resembling the skylark in habit and song.
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