from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Pipit \Pip"it\, n. [So named from its call note.] (Zool.)
Any one of numerous species of small singing birds belonging
to {Anthus} and allied genera, of the family
{Motacillid[ae]}. 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}.
[1913 Webster]
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.
[1913 Webster]