MOTACILLID.E. 



143 



THE ROCK-PIPIT. 



Anthus obscurus (Latham). 



The Rock-Pipit is a resident species in the British Islands, where 

 it is essentially a shore-bird ; generally frequenting, during the 

 breeding-season, those portions of the sea-coast which are of a rocky 

 nature ; although during autumn and winter it is found on salt- 

 marshes and in the muddy estuaries where there is sea-weed. 

 Along the east coast a migration southwards has been noticed in 

 October. In Scotland and Ireland the bird is abundant in suitable 

 localities. 



The Rock-Pipit inhabits the Faeroes, but has not been obtained 

 in Iceland or Greenland. Along the western side of Scandinavia, 

 and in Denmark, is found a race which, in the breeding-season, 

 exhibits a vinous tint on the breast, approaching the hue of that 

 part in the Water-Pipit ; and birds belonging to this form have been 

 distinguished as A. ntpestris. Booth says that this used to arrive in 

 Sussex in considerable numbers from March to April, though it never 

 remained to breed ; while it has also occurred on the east coast of 

 Great Britain. Hancock said that he had an example shot from the 

 nest at Chepstow, Monmouthshire, on April iSth 1854; several 

 from Wales and also from Northumberland are in the British 

 Museum, and Mr. J. H. Gurney has one which he obtained near 



