MOTACILI.ID.K 



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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 breed- 

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

 nature — conditions which are not found between the Thames and 

 Humber ; 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 it is abundant in suitable localities, espec- 

 ially in the west ; and it is equally common in Ireland. 



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 the 

 Water-Pipit ; and birds belonging to this Ibrm have been distin- 

 guished as A. riipestris. ]\Ir. Booth says that the latter used to 

 arrive in Sussex in considerable numbers from March to April, 

 though it never remained to breed, but of late years it seems to 

 have changed its line of migration ; it has also occurred on the 

 east coast of Great Britain ; Mr. Hancock says that he has an 

 example shot from the nest at Chepstow, Monmouthshire, on 

 April i8th 1854; and Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., has one which he 

 obtained near the Land's luid. A woodcut of this form is given 



