THE ROCK-PIPIT. 

 Antkus obscurus (Latham). 

 Plate 12. 



This bird is resident and common along all the rocky parts of our coasts, in- 

 habiting the mainland as well as the islands, and during the autumn and winter 

 months it also frequents the low-lying shores and mud-flats. It is found, in suit- 

 able localities, over the greater part of Europe. 



The Scandinavian race of Rock-Pipit, visiting our shores on migration, has a 

 vinous-chestnut tint on the breast, and the throat less spotted during the breeding 

 season, but otherwise does not differ from the ordinary form. 



The nest is placed close to the sea, among tufts of thrift, or under a stone, and 

 is composed of dead grass — sometimes partly of seaweed — and often, but not 

 always, lined with hair. The eggs vary in number from four to five, and varieties 

 of colour occur. They are often of a greyish or greenish tint in ground colour, 

 blotched with olive-brown. 



The food consists of insects, larvae, and tiny shellfish ; the little black flies, so 

 plentiful about decaying seaweed, forming a large part of its diet. 



The song is delivered on the wing, the bird rising in the air and then descend- 

 ing, after the manner of the Meadow-Pipit. 



The shrill call-note also resembles that bird's, and is frequently uttered as it flits 

 about the rocks and seaweed with an unsteady wavering flight. 



The sexes are alike in colour. 



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