192 THE ROCK PIPET. 



spots and blotches of dark red, or purplish brown. The 

 nest being cunningly concealed is difficult to find. The food 



TREE PIPET. 



of this species is similar to that of the one last described, 

 chiefly worms and insects, but sometimes seeds. 



THE ROCK PIPET (Anthus aquations). Sometimes called 

 the Rock, Sea, or Dusky Lark; the Shore Pipet. This bird 

 is considerably larger than the two preceding species, 

 measuring about six inches and three quarters in length ; 

 it has a larger bill than they, and a shorter hind claw to 

 the foot. The colours and markings of the plumage are 

 very similar to those of the other Pipets. So generally is 

 this bird distributed along the British coast, that Yarrell 

 never remembers looking for it there without finding it. 

 At any considerable distance from the sea this bird is 

 never, or very rarely, found; it occurs in Ireland and 

 Wales, as well as England. It is a handsome, graceful bird, 

 and has a song louder and less pleasing than that of the 

 Meadow Pipet it is a shrill warble, uttered while the 

 songster is hovering in the air. When any one intrudes 



