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becomes rare in the North. In Ireland it is almost unknown. The Meadow Pipit is resident, 
and common in all open uncultivated places—hills, downs, moors, meadows, ete. This is the 
most abundant of the Pipits, being found over the entire area of the British Islands ; but in 
winter there is a partial or internal migration, the birds that inhabit the more exposed 
districts moving southwards, or to more sheltered situations. The Rock Pipit is a resident, 
and common on all the rocky coasts of the British Islands during the summer ; in winter it 
seeks its food on the salt marshes and on the muddy shores of estuaries. 
IV. Food. 
Insects, worms, small molluscs, and small seeds, especially in winter. The Rock Pipit 
feeds principally on marine insects, small crustaceans, etc., picked from the seaweed. 
V. Characteristics. 
The Pipits are small, inconspicuous, shy birds ; in colour, ash and neutral brown, spotted 
and streaked with dark brown, and all have a pale stripe over the eye. They inhabit open 
situations, and are earth lovers, feeding, roosting, and nesting on the ground. Their call- 
note is a low plaintive cheep or peep, whence their name; and to sing they soar upwards to a 
moderate height, and utter their notes during the descent. Their flight 1s swift and 
undulating. 
VI, Protection. 
Wild Birds Protection Act, 1880.—These birds do not appear in the Schedule, but 
have been added in the following counties :— 
Tree Pipit.—Enetanp: Lancaster; Barrow-in-Furness (C.B.); Rutland; West Suffolk. 
W arEs.—Brecon. 
Meadow Pipit.—Enauanp: Lancaster; Barrow-in-Furness (C.B.) ; Chester (Hundred 
of Wirrall) ; Rutland; West Suffolk ; Worcester. Scornanp: Fife (Tentsmuir). 
Rock Pipit—Eneranp: Lancaster; Barrow-in-Furness (C.B.); Rutland. Wates: 
Brecon. Scornanp: Berwick. 
In these counties any owner or occupier, or other person, taking, killing, etc,, any of 
these birds during close season,* or possessing or selling one of them after 15th March, is 
liable to a penalty of £1 for each bird. In any other place, anyone other than the owner or 
occupier of land, or his agent, taking, killing, etc., any Pipit during close season, or 
possessing or selling a Pipit after 15th March, is liable to a penalty of 5s. for each bird. 
Wild Birds Protection Act, 1894.—The eggs are protected as follows :— 
All Species—Enenanp: Breeding areas in Northumberland; York (Hast Riding) ; 
Cambridge; Chester; Nortolk; East Suffolk; Devon; Dorset; Essex; Kent; Isle of 
Wight. And in the foilowing counties: —Wates: Pembroke. Scornanp: Orkney. 
Tree Pipit—Hnatanp: Lancaster (8. of the Ribble); West Suffolk. Wanzs: Brecon. 
Meadow Pipit.—Enetanp: Lancaster (S. of the Ribble); West Suffolk. Scornanp: Fife. 
Rock Pipit.—Enetanp: Lancaster (S. of the Ribble); West Suffolk. Scornanp: Berwick, 
In the above places any owner or occupier, or other person, taking or destroying the 
eggs of these birds is liable to a penalty of £1 for each egg. 
Wild Birds Protection Act, 1896.—In addition to any penalty under the Act of 1880, 
the Court may now order any trap, net, snare, etc., used by the offender, to be forfeited. 
* Generally from Ist March to 3lst July; but in some counties from 1st February to 3lst August in 
each year. A further period may be obtained through the Act of 1896. 
