ROCK PIPIT. 433 
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 mentions 
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 examina- 
tion of seaweed, 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 
VOL. I. PF 
