ROCK PIPIT. lip 



seashores, but never ventures inland. The term Shore 

 Pipit has been suggested as that by which this bird 

 should be known ; but in Ireland it generally figures, 

 with several other widely different birds, under the con- 

 venient title of the Sea Lark. Larger, darker, and 

 stronger than the Meadow Pipit, it is still frequently 

 confounded with that bird. It pairs in March, but does 

 not incubate for at least a .month later, when its eggs 

 may be found in a hole in a bank, or rabbit-burrow near 

 the sea. Mr. Hewitson found the nest once in a heap 

 of dry sea-weed upon the sandy shore. The eggs are 

 usually from four to six in number, and, like those of the 

 Tree Pipit, often differ materially in colour, some being 

 of a mottled brown, whilst others are of a greenish-grey. 

 Mr. Watters has observed the nest of this bird on the 

 Island of Rockabill, ten miles from the County Dublin 

 coast, and it, no doubt, often seeks similarly wild and 

 retired spots in which to bring up its young. 



The usual cry of this bird is a shrill "cheep;" a "hist" 

 is constantly uttered if the nest is near and in danger. 

 I cannot say that I have ever heard its song, which is 

 described as a short, soft warble. My impression is 

 that, whilst in soaring it somewhat resembles the 

 Meadow Pipit, unlike that bird, it descends in silence. 



I observed not long since a pair of Rock Pipits when 

 disturbed ascend to a great height, and having remained 

 aloft for some time, descend rapidly, and in silence, 

 almost to the very spot from which they had been 

 flushed. 



The food of the Rock Pipit consists of small marine 

 insects found amongst the rocks when the tide is low, 

 and also occasionally of seeds. 



