THE ROCK PIPIT i65 



dry grass is almost entirely used ; in others this is 

 mixed with moss and bits of dry sea- weed. It is 

 lined with horse-hair wherever the birds can obtain 

 it, but in localities where this material is wanting 

 fine dry grass is used in its place. A nest we once 

 found upon the Fame Islands had a single Gull's 

 feather in the lining ; whilst at St. Kilda we noticed 

 that the birds obtained horse- hair for a lining from 

 the snares set in the cliffs to catch Puffins. The 

 eggs are four or five in number, and are greenish- 

 or brownish-grey in ground-colour, mottled, sprinkled 

 and blotched with olive-brown or reddish-lr jwn, 

 and paler markings of greyish-brown. On some 

 eggs a few dark lines and streaks may be noticed. 

 The bird is a close sitter, but when disturbed be- 

 comes anxious for the welfare of its nest, and is soon 

 joined by its mate, the two flitting restlessly about 

 and calling plaintively. 



The Rock Pipit during most of the year feeds 

 almost exclusively upon small worms, insects, larvae 

 and tiny molluscs. Many insects are secured whilst 

 the bird is chasing them in the air. It also obtains 

 much food on the rocks at low water. During 

 autumn and winter small seeds are eaten. 



The Rock Pipit has the general colour of the 

 upper parts olive-brown, streaked with darker brown, 

 except on the rump ; the eye-stripe is indistinct and 

 buffish-white ; the wings are brown, the wing-coverts 

 tipped with white ; the tail is dark brown, with the 



