120 THE BIRDS OF THE BRITISH ISLES. 



constantly, especially if the nest is not far away. When dis- 

 turbed on the mud-flats it makes for some stone, wajl or 

 embankment, and if these are available chooses them for its 

 resting place at high tide. Its song flight is similar to that of 

 other pipits, a musical ascent and descent with open wings, 

 and in quality the notes are intermediate between those of the 

 Meadow and Tree, lacking the rich fullness of the latter. It 

 feeds on insects, especially the numerous flies which settle on 

 decaying weeds, and picks small molluscs from the rocks or 

 crustaceans and worms from shallow pools. In its habits it 

 more nearly approaches the shore-haunting waders than any 

 "land bird." 



The nest is seldom far above the reach of the tide and is often 

 spray-splashed ; it is sometimes on a bank, under a clump of 

 thrift or other maritime plant, but more commonly in a hole or 

 crack in the rock. It is neatly built of grass and frequently a 

 little seaweed, and I have known a nest entirely composed of 

 dry weed ; the lining is of fine grass or hair. One of two nests 

 on the Welsh coast, both in holes in the cliff and one not ten feet 

 above high-water mark, was lined with hair, and the other with 

 white gull feathers. The bird nests late and eggs are seldom 

 laid until May, but a second brood is often reared ; the number 

 is usually four or five, and they are closely speckled with grey 

 or reddish spots, so densely indeed as often to form a zone of 

 colour round the widest part or near the larger end (Plate 58). 

 The female is a close sitter, but the over-anxious male betrays 

 her presence by his continuous calls and fluttering flight. 



The Rock-Pipit is the maritime form of the Water- or Alpine 

 Pipit, and the birds are not unlike. It is larger and has a 

 longer bill than the Meadow-Pipit, and the striations and spots 

 on both upper and under parts are less distinct. In summer it 

 is olive-brovv'n, striated, except on the browner rump, on the 

 upper parts, and there is an indistinct whitish-buff eye-streak. 

 The outer tail feathers are marked with smoky grey and not 



