ROCK-PIPIT.
detect. Many were placed among the fallen masonry in the old fortifications, and in parts of the buildings
where stones had been dislodged from the walls, f stumbled upon one or two among the accumulation of old
rubbish in the passages in the ruins, which had been built in almost total darkness. They also resort to the
cracks and ledges on the face of the rock, especially on the south side.
On oue occasion I discovered a brood, just ready to lly, on a small exposed rock that formed part of the
ledge on which the beacon stands, a short distance east of Tautallou. In (Ids instance it was certainly a
marvel how the young had escaped destruction from the waves. The whole of the rock that was above water
at high I ides was but ten or a dozen yards in circumference; and I watched the seas washing up with hi a foot
of the bottom of the nest. The bird had made a mod cunning choice of a situation. The nest was placed
in a slight hollow io the side of the rock that looked towards the shore, from which it was distant about one
hundred yards. An overhanging slab of stone formed a covering towards the north-east, from which quarter
the heaviest swells rolled towards the land. Hut one small tuft of vegetation struggled for existence on this
diminutive islet; and behind its scanty shelter the nest was located. A few days after I discovered the young
birds they quitted the nest in safety, a result that could scarcely have been anticipated had a heavy gale from
the north or east set in. I repeatedly remarked that on this part of the coast the birds appeared to have a
preference for the islands; possibly the number of rats along the shores of the mainland may have influenced
their selection.
Along the flat shores of the east of Ross-shire I occasionally noticed lids species during autumn and early
spring on the shores of the firths and the numerous marshy pools. They frequent the Cromarty rocks
overhanging the Moray birth and many points along the rocky coasts of Caithness and Sutherland; but I
never spent any time in searching out their nests in these localities. On the small islands off the wesf coast of
floss-shire, it was almost impossible during the spring to wander any distance among the heather and rough
stones without disturbing several of these Pipits from their nests.
The bird to which the name of Scandinavian Rock-Pipit has been given is merely, in my own opinion, a
variety of this species *. Early in March I have shot number* of specimens which plainly showed that the
winter dress was identical with that of this bird, only a few of the vinous feathers being visible at that period;
on several I procured, only one or two of these feathers could be found. I also obtained specimens exhibiting
the change in every stage. In two or three instances the plumage closely approached that of the "Water-Pipit
(Anthut spi/'oMtn}; a few spots or clouded markings, however, were always visible among the fealhers on the
breast. As spring advances the vinous tint gradually spreads over the whole of the breast, and the back of
the head and neck becomes a bluish grey. The numbers of this variety that appear on our shores arc very
Uncertain- 1 have met with them during some seasons in great abundance, while the following year hardly
a bird would he recognized. The first arrivals may he looked for—or rather, I ought to say, might have been
looked for (as I have not identified a single specimen for the last ten years) soon after the beginning of
March; and for about a month or six weeks from that date they would be seen making their way along the
coast. As a rule, they appeared to lly against the wind, and were mostly observed on thick fuggy mornings.
On the Kith of March 1 Mill (a light wind from the west and weather dull and cloudy) I watched a party of
bet* ecu twenty and thirty of these Pipits collected round a pool of brackish water just inside the sea-beach
at l'ortslade, near Brighton. Immense numbers of Meadow-Pipits, as well as these birds in all stages of
plumage, were continually lauding till nine or ten o'clock, after which hour they ceased crossing. In the
•prfng of 1507, though I kept a constant watch on all the likely spots along the same range of coast-line, I
did not meet with above a dozen specimens. These were particularly backward io their plumage, and but one
* I conclude, it is tin! Pipit known Io continental nuturnlj-ts a< Anlhm rupalrli. It wem- also. In certain .tug™ of plumoge, greatly to
reieinUc AIMHI f—Htm. Poi>itily thew Iwo teientinc nanus lime in aumc l u t nw been ucslowwl ou one nail tlic .urne form, which is in
re ..lit y only i ijriety uf A„lli.,i abmirui.
KOCK-I'lI'IT.
or two showed the vinous tint to any extent. In ISfiS and lSu'J I we* away in the north; and on again
visiting their haunts in 1570 I found their numbers had considerably fallen olf. Two or three fine specimens,
however, were obtained between the 20th and 25th of April, which is the latest date on which I have met
with them.
On many occasions during the past ten years I have closely searched these parts of the coast, but not
a single specimen was identified. lly carefully examining the footmarks on the soft mud round the pools,
it was easy to learn if these favourite spots were frequented by any number of the Pipit tribe-. As far as
I am able to judge, these birds seem now to have entirely changed their line of flight. The only specimen
I ever obtained or cveu observed beyond tin' borders of Sussex was shot ou March 11, 1871, on the Norfolk
coast, at a marshy pool near Horsey; for the season of the year it was far advanced in plumage.
As stated previously, the winter dress so closely resembles that of our common Rock-Pipit, that I have
been unable to detect the slightest difference, 0 careful search being needed in order to discover the one or
two vinous-tinted feathers on the breast that formed the sole distinguishing marks \ a the specimen* obtained
during the early part of the season. I have, however, been favoured with a view of preserved specimens,
declared by scientific naturalists to belong to this form of Pipit, in the winter plumage. I must confess thai,
though unwilling to question the decision of those eminent authorities, 1 wa
what outward and visible signs they had formed their judgment. I have close
Pipit of the British Islands and also the Scandinavian form; and iu flight, actio
the tWO birds seemed identical.
According to my own observations, the Scandinavian Itoek-l'ipit does not :
Islands. I never remarked the birds frequenting situations where it was pr
for a nest.
The Plate shows the Seandinaviau form of the Bock-Pipit. The figu
obtained between Shoreham and Lancing towards the cud of April 1570.
utterly unable to learn from
watched the genuine Rock-
, manner of feeding, and note
main and breed in the British
'able they would select a site