82 OUR RARER BIRDS 



beach. A small black fly which abounds on the wide ex- 

 panses of " bladder wrack " at low water is an especial object 

 of the Eock Pipit's quest ; and it searches about on the sandy 

 bits of shore and along the line of drift for anything suited 

 to its taste. Many insects are caught whilst the bird is 

 fluttering in the air ; and I have seen it in the fishermen's 

 gardens and potato patches searching for small worms and 

 oTubs. Durinsj autumn and winter it eats seeds of various 

 kinds, principally of those weeds and herbs that grow on the 

 waste ground near the shore and on the cliffs. 



It is in the genial springtime that the Kock Pipit becomes 

 most interesting. Early in the vernal year the flocks of Eock 

 Pipits break up into pairs, and shortly afterwards the males 

 are full of song. There is nothing very imposing about this 

 little Pipit's refrain, but it relieves the monotony of many a 

 wild coast, and is a welcome variation to the eternal booming 

 of the surf against the rocks and shingle. Incessantly the male 

 warbles from the early dawn till evening's dusk settles over 

 the sea. The whole day long it is ever and anon fluttering 

 up into the air for some distance, then flying back to its 

 perching-place, warbling out its little song as it returns. The 

 bird generally rises uttering its sharp call-note till the zenith 

 of its flight is reached, then begins its song, which is continued 

 till it reaches the ground again. Very often it sits and 

 warbles on the rocks or on a big stone lying on the beach. 

 The Eock Pipit's song is equal perhaps in sweetness to that 

 of the Meadow Pipit, and resembles it in some particulars, but 

 it wants the rich melody and duration of that of the Tree 

 Pipit. 



Like many other birds which pair early, the Eock Pipit 

 breeds rather late. April's fresh and vernal month has nearly 

 waned, and the sea-birds are fast settling down to the duties 

 of the year, before this species begins nest-building. Its nest 

 is rather difficult to find, owing to the care which the old 



