ROCK PIPIT 



Anthus obscurus 



Rock Pipit is a resident on all the coasts of the 

 British Islands, with the exception of the southern 

 portion of the low-lying eastern coasts of England, 

 where it is only a straggler during migration. It breeds 

 in all the rocky islands round our coasts, including the 

 Outer Hebrides, the Orkneys and Shetlands, and St. 

 Kilda. 



The haunts of the Rock Pipit are on the rocky parts of the coasts, and 

 the bird frequents the cliffs and rocks to the high-tide mark : it is quite as 

 partial to rocky islands as to the mainland, and is a resident throughout the 

 year on nearly all the smaller rocky islets, such as the Bass Rock, the Isle 

 of May, Ailsa Craig, and the Fames. It is a very restless little bird, and 

 when its haunts are invaded it flits from rock to rock before the intruder, 

 uttering its shrill call-note, a sharp 'sssf or '/55/,' which it keeps up in- 

 cessantly if its nest is in danger. It is not a shy bird, and can be approached 

 within quite a short distance. When flushed from the beach it flutters 

 into the air, hovering above the intruder's head in an inquiring fashion, and 

 continually uttering its call-note, flying away at last to some rock with a 

 curious jerking flight. It is not a gregarious bird during the breeding 

 season, but may be seen in small flocks during the winter. 



The Rock Pipit commences to sing before the pairing season, which 

 takes place about the middle of March ; like all the Pipits, it usually sings 

 when on the wing. During the pairing season it sings almost incessantly, 

 rising into the air and slowly gliding down again to its perch with wings 

 and tail expanded. Although its notes are musical, it cannot compare with 

 the Tree Pipit either in the richness or variety of its song. Sometimes the 

 VOL. in. 2 L 129 



