118 THE ROCK PIPIT 
frequents wooded districts, and passes a large portion of its time 
aloft among the branches, while the Meadow Pipit finds its happi- 
ness on the ground. It is not, indeed, confined to the unwooded 
country, for no bird is more generally diffused, and the nests of 
both species, constructed of similar materials, may frequently be 
found in the border of the same field, yet it often finds a home 
in wild, barren districts, frequented by no other small birds but 
the Wheatear and Ring Ouzel. I have even more than once 
seen it alight on a tree, but this was apparently as a resting- 
place on which it perched previously to descending to roost among 
the heath on a common. Had I not been near, it would most 
probably have dropped at once to its hiding-place as some of its 
companions did. From its attachment to commons and waste 
lands, the Meadow Pipit has received the names of Ling-bird and 
Moss-cheeper. In winter it is more abundant in the plains, where 
it may often be seen in small parties searching for seeds and insects 
in recently-ploughed lands, well marked by its running gait and the 
olive tinge of its upper plumage. Its song, which is not frequently 
heard, is a short and simple strain, sometimes uttered on the ground, 
but more generally, while rising or falling, at no great height in the 
air. Its nest is only to be distinguished from that of the Tree Pipit 
by the dark brown hue of the eggs which are somewhat similar to 
those of the Skylark, only smaller. ‘ The egg of the Cuckoo is more 
frequently deposited and hatched in the nest of the Meadow Pipit 
than in that of any other bird,’ says Yarrell. It is interesting to 
know, now, that this bird—an immoral creature we might call it— 
which never keeps to one mate, deposits its eggs in the nests of 
about 145 species, taking the world over. 
THE ROCK PIPIT 
ANTHUS OBSCURUS 
Hind claw about equal in length to the toe, much curved; upper plumage 
greenish brown, the centre of each feather darker brown ; a whitish streak 
over the eye; under parts dull white, spotted and streaked with dark 
brown. Length six inches and three-quarters. Eggs dull white, mottled 
with dingy brown. 
Except that it is somewhat larger, the Rock Pipit is very similar 
in form and colour to the last species. It is, however, far more 
local, being confined exclusively to the seashore, but there of very 
common occurrence. Every one familiar with the sea-coast, must 
have observed it moving through the air with a jerking flight, 
occasionally alighting on a rock or on the beach near the line of 
high-water mark, searching busily for marine insects. In spring, 
it frequently takes little flights inland, never to a great distance, 
repeating its simple song all the while, and chasing as if in sport 
