270 BRITISH: SEA: BIRDS: 
white ; the remainder of the under parts are sandy- 
buff, streaked with brown. During flight the 
smoke-brown patch on the outer tail feathers is 
very conspicuous, During autumn and winter 
Rock Pipits may generally be met with in parties, 
sometimes even in small flocks, congregating on the 
rocky beaches, the cliffs, and downs, or, at low 
water, searching amongst the seaweed and shingle 
for food. They are by no means shy birds, but, if 
alarmed, rise in scattered order, and, after flitting 
aimlessly about, again pitch a little farther on, and 
resume their search, In spring the Rock Pipit 
separates into pairs, the low-lying shores are deserted, 
and the birds resort to their several breeding-places. 
In early spring the simple song of the cock bird 
may be heard at intervals all the livelong day, 
sometimes uttered as he perches on a big stone or 
clings to the cliffs hundreds of feet above our heads, 
but more frequently as he flutters in the air. The 
food of this Pipit is composed of insects, and worms, 
and small seeds. Although small and unobtrusive, 
the Rock Pipit is not easily overlooked. It flits 
before the observer ina wavering, uncertain manner, 
uttering its plaintive weet as it goes; then alights a 
little further on, and waits our approach, when once 
more it rises, cheefing, into the air, to alight far up 
the cliffs, or turn back to seek its original haunt. 
Although this species pairs early, the nest is seldom 
made before May. Few nests are more difficult to 
find than the Rock Pipit’s, hidden as it is under 
