228 
ANTHIM. 
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 fuel - 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, which 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 which was shot consisted of several small uni- 
valve shells ( Littorinae ), in addition to Coleopterous insects. The 
stomachs of three killed, on the shore of Strangford Lough, in the 
first week of March, 1847, were entirely filled with minute Crus- 
tacea ( Gammari ). 
Mr. Poole, writing of the county of Wexford, remarks that the 
