458 ANTRIM. 



The localities frequented by the Rock Pipit are, how- 

 ever, strikingly distinguished from those in which the other 

 Pipits are so constantly found. I do not remember to have 

 seen the Rock Pipit except within a short distance of the 

 sea-coast : and so generally is it there distributed, that I 

 never remember looking for it, when visiting any part of 

 our sea-coast, without finding it. It does not wander far 

 inland, and is very seldom seen at any considerable distance 

 from the sea. It remains in this country on the coast 

 throughout the year. Montagu found it along the whole 

 line of shore from Kent to the Land's End. It inhabits the 

 shores of South and North Wales. Mr. Thompson men- 

 tions it, as observed by himself, on the north, west, south, 

 and east coasts of Ireland ; and Mr. Selby mentions it as 

 occurring along the Northumbrian coast, and the eastern 

 shores of Scotland. 



Though called the Rock Pipit, it inhabits as well low 

 flat shores in the vicinity of the sea, and the neighbouring 

 salt marshes, where it feeds on marine insects, sometimes 

 seeking its food close to the edge of the retiring tide ; and 

 I have seen these birds very busily engaged in the exami- 

 nation of sea-weed, apparently in search of the smaller 

 Crustacea. This bird is readily distinguished from the Tree 

 and Meadow Pipit by its larger size ; the hind claw long, 

 and very considerably curved. 



The Rock Pipit makes its nest on the ground ; and if 

 the coast is bounded by rock or cliff, the favourite places 

 are the grass-grown ledges at various elevations on the 

 surface opposed to the sea. The nest is made up of several 

 sorts of dry grasses ; the eggs are four or five in number, 

 of a greyish white, tinged with green, and mottled nearly 

 all over with ash brown ; the length is nine lines and a 

 half, by seven lines and a half in breadth. The young 

 are hatched early in spring. 



