228 ANTHIDvE. 



is likewise partial, as it is in Holland, according to Temminck. 

 In my previous publication on this species (Ann. Nat. Hist. vol. i. 

 1838), attention was called to the very different nature of the local- 

 ities stated by this author to be frequented by it, and I felt certain 

 that in connection with some of them, another species must be 

 meant. The subsequent publication of the fourth part "of his 

 admirable " Manuel," proved this view to be correct, and that two 

 species had been confounded. The name Anthus aquations, Bechst. 

 (p. 623) he now applies to the species inhabiting the south of 

 Europe, and " Ant. obscurus, Temm." (p. 628) to our bird, which 

 frequents the borders of the sea. 



In pursuit of food, we find most of the true shore birds ( Gralla- 

 tores) frequenting the bare beach, whether oozy, gravelly, or sandy ; 

 but the rock pipit generally seeks its sustenance, either on the 

 masses of seaweed, which when growing are exposed at ebb-tide, or 

 on those which have been cast ashore. A favourite position is on 

 large y^ci-covered stones left dry between tide-marks. When 

 looking for the nests of terns on the 13th of June, upon the Mew 

 Island, off the coast of Down, where the rock pipit is common, 

 I observed one of its nests. This was wholly composed of 

 fine grasses, winch also served for lining, and was placed on the 

 ground, at the base of a narrow ledge of rock. It contained three 

 eggs, well incubated, which were greenish white, closely and pretty 

 uniformly speckled all over with pale brown. "When visiting 

 several of the islands of Strangford Lough on the 22nd of June, 

 1846, rock pipits were found numerous on them. Several of 

 their nests were observed, from all of which, both eggs and young 

 were gone. They were placed far in, beneath the shelter of pro- 

 jecting stones, and formed simply of the dried grasses which had 

 grown there ; no other material was used, even for lining. The 

 food observed in one winch was shot consisted of several small uni- 

 valve shells (Littorince) , in addition to Coleopterous insects. The 

 stomachs of three killed, on the shore of Strangford Lough, in the 

 first week of March, 184-7, were entirely filled with minute Crus- 

 tacea (Gammari). 



Mr. Poole, writing of the county of Wexford, remarks that the 



