PIPITS, OR TITLARKS. 43 



THE ROCK PIPIT, 



(Anthus aquations .) 

 PLATE III. FIGURE V. 



THIS is another common member of the Pipit family, a haunter, as 

 its name implies, of hilly and rocky places by the sea. It is variously 

 called the Rock, Sea, or Shore Lark; the Shore Pipit, or Sea Titling, 

 as well as the Field, or Dusky Lark; its Latin name comes from 

 aqua, water. It is a very hardy bird, braving the severe cold of 

 the regions of ice and snow, and yet being able to live in com- 

 paratively warm climates. It is well known in most parts of the 

 Continent of Europe: a species very like it, if not the same, inhabits 

 North America, and also Japan. In its general habits, mode of flight, 

 appearance, and song, it so closely resembles the two species already 

 described, that until quite lately it has been confounded with them; 

 the name obscurus, under which it appears in some natural histories, 

 indicates its once doubtful position and identity. 



About six inches and three quarters is the usual length of the male 

 bird; its weight about seven drachms. Brown, grey, and white, the 

 latter in no part pure and unmixed, but more or less specked, and 

 tinged with yellow and brown, are the colours of its plumage; there 

 is the same yellow edging to the dusky bill as we noticed in the two 

 former species, and the same olive tint, vivid or faint according to 

 the season, is a marked feature of its by no means gay, yet pleasing 

 and harmonious dress. As with the other Pipits, the plumage of the 

 female is much like that of the male. 



A mere flitting from place to place constitutes the ordinary flight 

 of this bird; during the season of incubation, the male will sometimes 

 soar up a short distance, and sing its small shrill song of gladness, 

 as it descends again in a slope like a wind-driven summer shower. 



Its general note is a peevish kind of cheep, sometimes long drawn 

 out; heard on the wild rocky and lonely shore it has a sad and 

 dreary sound, but it comes from a lively little bird that enjoys its 

 life while the sunshine lasts, and puts up with the privations of 

 winter as bravely as it can. Early in spring it may be seen all 

 along the Kentish, and indeed of most other of the English coasts, 



