ROCK PIPIT. 895 



The localities frequented by the Rock Pipit are, however, 

 strikingly distinguished from those in which the other Pipits 

 are so constantly found. I do not remember to have seen the 

 Rock Pipit except within a short distance of the sea-coast ; 

 and so generally is it there distributed, that I never remem- 

 ber looking for it, when visiting any part of our sea-coast, 

 without finding it. It does not wander far inland, and is 

 very seldom seen at any considerable distance from the sea. 

 It remains in this country on the coast throughout the year. 

 Montagu found it along the whole line of shore from Kent to 

 the Land's End. It inhabits the shores of South and North 

 Wales. Mr. Thompson mentions it, as oljserved by himself, 

 on the north, west, south, and east coasts of Ireland ; and 

 Mr. Selby mentions it as occurring along the Northumbrian 

 coast, and the eastern shores of Scotland. 



Though called the Rock Pipit, it inhabits as well low flat 

 shores in the vicinity of the sea, and the neighbouring salt 

 marshes, where it feeds on marine insects, sometimes seeking 

 its food close to the edge of the retiring tide ; and I have 

 seen these birds very busily engaged in the examination of 

 seaweed, apparently in search of the smaller Crustacea. This 

 bird is readily distinguished from the Tree and Meadow 

 Pipits by its larger size ; the hind claw long, and very con- 

 siderably curved. 



The Rock Pipit makes its nest on the ground ; and if the 

 coast is bounded by rock or cliff, the favourite places are the 

 grass-grown ledges at various elevations on the surface op- 

 posed to the sea. The nest is made up of several sorts of 

 dry grasses ; the eggs are four or five in number, of a greyish 

 white, tinged with green, and mottled nearly all over with 

 ash brown ; the length is nine lines and a half, by seven 

 lines and a half in breadth. The young are hatched early 

 in spring. 



The Rock Pipit, besides the localities already quoted, is 



