194 ROCK PIPIT. 
It is stationary with us throughout the year, but it would 
seem to be in some small degree migratory, or rather move- 
able; for W. R. Fisher, Esq. has stated in his ‘Natural History 
of Yarmouth,’ that in Norfolk it arrives on the coast in the 
autumn, generally in the month of November. 
These birds do not associate in flocks, but several are often 
to be seen in the same immediate neighbourhood. If disturbed 
it does not go far off, but flutters about in the neighbourhood, 
frequently repeating its note, settling im a restless and uneasy 
manner here and there, vibrating its body, and evidently 
anxious for your departure. 
In general the flight of the Rock Pipit is a mere flitting 
from place to place; but in the summer-time they often mount 
up to a considerable height, uttering their wild little note with 
each pulsation of the wings, and then rapidly descend in a 
slanting manner, in silence, and with apparently closed wings. 
Its food consists of small marine and other insects, small 
crustacea and worms, which it seeks and finds among the 
marine plants thrown up along the coasts, or growing on the 
rocks which, at low water are left uncovered by the receding 
tide. Macgillivray observes that it also feeds on seeds. 
The note is in general a mere rather shrill ‘cheep,’ but I 
think there is a wildness in it, which invests it with an 
interest that it might not otherwise possess. It has also a 
small warble, charming no doubt in the ears of its species, 
but not so in ours, in comparison with that of more highly- 
gifted birds in this respect. 
These birds commence the work of nidification early in the 
season—at the end of April or beginning of May, and pitch 
their tent either on or in the immediate neighbourhood of 
the sea shore, or water not far from it. 
The nest is placed in holes or ledges in rocks, generally, 
but not always, at a low elevation, or on the ground, shel- 
tered by some little projection or eminence. It is made of 
fine dry grass and marine plants, but is very loosely com- 
pacted, the inside being either not at all, or more or less 
lined with hair, or finer materials of any kind that 1t can 
procure. , ' 
The eggs, which have very little polish on them, and vary 
much in appearance, are four or five, and occasionally six in 
number. They are of a pale yellowish, yellowish white, or 
whitish grey colour, sometimes tinged with green, spotted 
with reddish brown, almost confluent at the larger end; some 
