MOTACILLIDA. 143 
THE ROCK-PIPIT. 
ANTHUS OBSCURUS (Latham). 
The Rock-Pipit is a resident species in the British Islands, where 
it is essentially a shore-bird; generally frequenting, during the 
breeding-season, those portions of the sea-coast which are of a rocky 
nature ; although during autumn and winter it is found on salt- 
marshes and in the muddy estuaries where there is sea-weed. 
Along the east coast a migration southwards has been noticed in 
October. In Scotland and Ireland the bird is abundant in suitable 
localities. 
The Rock-Pipit inhabits the Fzeroes, but has not been obtained 
in Iceland or Greenland. Along the western side of Scandinavia, 
and in Denmark, is found a race which, in the breeding-season, 
exhibits a vinous tint on the breast, approaching the hue of that 
part in the Water-Pipit ; and birds belonging to this form have been 
distinguished as A. rugestris. Booth says that this used to arrive in 
Sussex in considerable numbers from March to April, though it never 
remained to breed; while it has also occurred on the east coast of 
Great Britain. Hancock said that he had an example shot from the 
nest at Chepstow, Monmouthshire, on April 18th 1854; several 
from Wales and also from Northumberland are in the British 
Museum, and Mr. J. H. Gurney has one which he obtained near 
