9 
9) 
Vertebrata, I find, by reference to his MS., that he was acquainted with it. Under the name 
of Alauda petrosa, he remarked, ‘common about the rocks on the shore.’ It is nowhere more 
plentiful than about the rocky marine islets, of which Tory, off the north of Donegal, and the 
south islands of Arran (off the Bay of Galway), by reason of their extreme position, may be par- 
ticularized. Mr. Poole, writing of the county of Wexford, remarks that the nest is generally on 
the slope of a grassy bank, or in cliffs at no great height above the sea, is composed of dry grass- 
stalks, and lined with a few black horse-hairs. He has found nests containing eggs, and others 
having young, on the 7th of May; a bird which he startled from her nest feigned being hurt, 
evidently to draw his attention thence to herself. At the Giant’s Causeway, where these birds 
are particularly numerous, I have been much interested, in the middle of June, by observing 
them ascend gradually to a great height in the air, uttering continuously ‘cheep-cheep ’ 
between each beat of the wings, and then descend in perfect silence as quickly and at about the 
same angle, perhaps fifty degrees. ‘The descent was accomplished with motionless wing, their 
little breasts being shot out like puff-balls. From my always seeing a pair of these birds about 
the wall at the neighbouring salmon-cuts (Bush-foot), I had no doubt of their having a nest in 
some of its apertures.” It does not occur in Greenland or Iceland; but Captain Feilden records 
it as numerous in the Feroes: “ During my frequent boat-journeys,’ he says, “this bird was 
constantly seen fluttering along the rocks in search of food, frequently engaged in aérial gambols 
with its mate.” 
In Scandinavia it is tolerably common: and here also both the vinous-breasted and common 
form are found ; but the latter appears to predominate; and I can find no reason to infer that the 
two forms have a distinct breeding-range. Mr. Robert Collett informs me that in Norway it is 
found exclusively on the sea-coast, and breeds commonly on the islets and rocks along the entire 
coast from the Hvalder islands to the North Cape and Varangerfiord. It never penetrates far 
up the fiords, and is rare on the Christiania fiord, north of Drobak, and never occurs in the 
interior, as it is stated to have done in Sweden. This is the only Pipit that to some extent 
winters annually on the coasts of Norway; for large flocks are seen on the rocks skirting the 
southern coasts throughout the winter; but large numbers migrate, leaving for the south in 
October and November, and returning in March or April. Pastor Sommerfelt records it as not 
uncommon on the Varanger fiord, where it arrives early in April, and is the last songster that 
leaves, remaining till the middle of November. It breeds up the fiords, but not so commonly as 
on the sea-coast. In Sweden, Professor Sundevall says, it is found on the coast here and there 
from Skane northwards. In Skane it occurs, he says, at Kullen; and Mr. Meves informs me 
that he observed it on Bornholm. Many remain in Sweden over winter, at least in Bohuslan, if 
not elsewhere on the coast. It is a great favourite with the Swedish fishermen, as it feeds on 
the Cancer pulex, which is so destructive to their nets. In Finland the Rock-Pipit is not common ; 
but Von Wright observed it at Hango-udd. I have but meagre data respecting its occurrence in 
Russia; but Mr. Sabanaeff informs me that, according to Daniloff, it is said to breed in the Orloff 
Government. It occurs on the southern coasts of the Baltic during the winter and on passage ; 
but Herr E. von Homeyer states positively that it is never met with there in the summer. 
Kjerbolling (Danm. Fugl. p. 144) says that Faber met with it in the summer of 1824, on 
34! 
lad 
