264 WAGTAILS AND PIPITS 



grateful. He does flit and perch, near about one, and come down 

 on the very spade, as one digs. These actions, if they are not more 

 prompted by affection than they would be in another bird, are 

 assuredly not less so, and the feelings excited by them are right 

 ones, in their way, and not "humbug." Those are much more 

 " humbug," because strained and unnatural, which derive themselves 

 from a constant insistence upon the comforting little bird's boldness 

 and greediness, in thus acting. Ungracious and harsh train of thought ! 

 and false too, for the greediness does not apply, simply, and no 

 bird is the worse for being bold and intelligent. But there is some- 

 thing more, here. The intelligence is applied not to the getting 

 food, merely, but to us to man. It is (in this very rare instance) an 

 intelligent confidence in him, and does really deserve a pleased and 

 grateful sentiment, in return if anything does. Let those who think 

 otherwise analyse their own human friendships. 



But Jefferies did not feel the charm of the robin. Perhaps, on 

 my part, I have not felt that of the rock-pipit. However, let others 

 find that out. I, as is natural, would rather suppose that he has none 

 with this special reservation, however, that I am not considering 

 his spring-tide habits. This is a fair saving clause for him, but in 

 the pursuit of his ordinary daily avocations, in his running about 

 the rocks, or flying from one to another of them, or up to a guillemot 

 ledge and back again, sometimes, or into the air, merely, after an 

 insect, or when he walks the immediate strand, in the flash and 

 spray of the billows, I have never been able to derive the same 

 satisfaction in watching him as I have from the meadow-pipit, when 

 pursuing his business which is also eating amidst his far tamer 

 surroundings. Is there any reason for this ? The rock-pipit's 

 environment is not that of his family, nor has he been specially 

 modified in relation to his changed mode of life. He is no true 

 child of the seashore, therefore, and thus the eye, in following his 

 movements, perhaps unconsciously recognises that he is out of 

 place. This, at least, is my theory the way I excuse myself for 



