The ROCK PIPIT, SHORE PIPIT, or SEA TITLING (_Anthus petrosus_, or
_aquaticus_), is deep olive-grey, spotted faintly with blackish grey
on the back and greyish white upon the lower portion of the body, the
sides of the breast being spotted with dark olive-brown; a light grey
streak passes over the eyes, and the wing is enlivened by the light
grey borders; the eye is dark brown. This species is from six inches
and three-quarters to seven inches long, and from eleven and a quarter
to eleven and a half broad; the wing measures three inches and a half,
and the tail two and three-quarters. The claw of the hinder toe is
long and very much curved. Unlike their congeners, the Rock Pipits
inhabit mountain ranges, and only descend upon the plains during their
migrations. In the Swiss Alps they are exceedingly common birds. "In
spring," says Tschudi, "this species appears upon such parts of the
mountains as are free from snow, and in summer large flocks seek safety
from the violent storms that frequently break over the Alps in more
sheltered situations. As winter approaches, and the cold becomes more
severe, they venture down into the plains beneath, and occupy marsh-land
and the neighbourhood of lakes or streams." In Great Britain they remain
upon the coast throughout the year, and are seldom seen at any great
distance from the sea; how far north they wander seems uncertain, for it
is at present undecided whether the SHORE PIPIT (_Anthus rupestris_), a
bird found throughout the whole of Scandinavia, is the same, or merely
a nearly allied species. During the breeding season the Rock Pipits
entirely lay aside the timidity they exhibit at other times, and boldly
approach any intruder on their privacy, flapping their wings as they fly
about him, and uttering loud and anxious cries. Their pleasing song,
which is heard about the end of July, is poured out with great rapidity,
as they rise quickly into the air; and after hovering for a time, with
a gentle swimming motion, slowly descend, with wings outspread, to the
spot from which they rose. They very rarely sing when perching on the
rocks or bushes. The nest is far less carefully concealed than that of
other Pipits, and is generally placed in a crevice, hole, or under a
tree-root so situated as to afford an overhanging shelter to the little
family. The eggs, from four to seven in number, have a dirty white shell,
very thickly marked with various shades of brown and grey; they bear a
considerable resemblance to those of the Common House Sparrow. Tschudi
tells us that on the Alps it is not uncommon for both parents and young
to perish in the heavy snow that often falls in spring.
"Though called the Rock Pipit," observes Mr. Yarrell, "it inhabits as
well low, flat shores in the vicinity of the sea, and the neighbouring
salt marshes, where it feeds on marine insects, sometimes seeking its
food close to the edge of the retiring tide. I have seen these birds very
busily engaged in the examination of sea-weed, apparently in search of
the smaller crustacea. This species is readily distinguished from the
Tree and Meadow Pipit by its larger size. The hind claw is long and very
considerably curved. The localities frequented by the Rock Pipit are,
however, strikingly distinguished from those in which the other Pipits
are so constantly found. I do not remember to have seen the Rock Pipit
except within a short distance of the sea-shore; and so generally is it
there distributed, that I never remember looking for it, when visiting
any part of our sea-coast, without finding it. It does not wander far
inland, and is very seldom seen at any considerable distance from the
sea. It remains in this country on the coast throughout the year."
"The Rock Pipit," Mr. Lloyd tells us, "is exceedingly common on the whole
coast of Scandinavia, from Scania to North Cape. Every rocky islet,
indeed," he continues, "is occupied by a pair or two of these birds, but
I do not remember having seen them in the interior of the country.
"The fishermen in the province of Blekinge look upon the Rock Pipit as a
very useful bird, for the reason that when the water is low it repairs
to the bare rocks, and feeds on the _grund märla_, a little shrimp or
crustacean, which is so injurious to their nets that, during a long
autumnal night, it will destroy them altogether.
"The female forms her nest on grass-grown ledges of rocks, but, though in
appearance pretty substantial, it is so fragile that it falls to pieces
at the least handling. She lays from four to five eggs of a greyish
brown or greenish brown colour, marked with ash-brown spots, and usually
hatches at the beginning of May."