176 



ANTHID^E. 



shore, 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 nights inland, never to a great dis- 

 tance, repeating its simple song all the while, and chasing 

 as if in sport some one or other of its companions. In 



THE ROCK PIPIT. 



winter, it seems to act as a guide to the smaller land 

 birds, who, finding their supply of food diminished or 

 altogether cut off by the frost, are attracted by its move- 

 ments, and join it in searching for insects among the 

 unfrozen 



"ridge of all things vile," 



left on the shore by the receding tide. Montagu says, 

 that it has never been observed to be gregarious ; his 



