191 HOCK PIPIT. 



It is stationary with us throughout the year, but it would 

 seem to be in some small degree migratory, or rather move- 

 able; for W. R. Fisher, Esq. has stated in his 'Natural History 

 of Yarmouth,' that in Norfolk it arrives on the coast in the 

 autumn, generally in the month of November. 



These birds do not associate in flocks, but several are often 

 to be seen in the same immediate neighbourhood. If disturbed 

 it does not go far off, but nutters about in the neighbourhood, 

 frequently repeating its note, settling in a restless and uneasy 

 manner here and there, vibrating its body, and evidently 

 anxious for your departure. 



In general the flight of the Rock Pipit is a mere flitting 

 from place to place; but in the summer-time they often mount 

 up to a considerable height, uttering their wild little note with 

 each pulsation of the wings, and then rapidly descend in a 

 slanting manner, in silence, and with apparently closed wings. 



Its food consists of small marine and other insects, small 

 Crustacea and worms, which it seeks and finds among the 

 marine plants thrown up along the coasts, or growing on the 

 rocks which, at low water are left uncovered by the receding 

 tide. Macgillivray observes that it also feeds on seeds. 



The note is in general a mere rather shrill 'cheep,' but I 

 think there is a wildness in it, which invests it with an 

 interest that it might not otherwise possess. It has also a 

 small warble, charming no doubt in the ears of its species, 

 but not so in ours, in comparison with that of more highly- 

 gifted birds in this respect. 



These birds commence the work of nidification early in the 

 season at the end of April or beginning of May, and pitch 

 their tent either on or in the immediate neighbourhood of 

 the sea shore, or water not far from it. 



The nest is placed in holes or ledges in rocks, generally, 

 but not always, at a low elevation, or on the ground, shel- 

 tered by some little projection or eminence. It is made of 

 fine dry grass and marine plants, but is very loosely com- 

 pacted, the inside being either not at all, or more or less 

 lined with hair, or finer materials of any kind that it can 

 procure. 



The eggs, which have very little polish on them, and vary 

 much in appearance, are four or five, and occasionally six in 

 number. They are of a pale yellowish, yellowish white, or 

 whitish grey colour, sometimes tinged with green, spotted 

 with reddish brown, almost confluent at the larger end; some 



