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singing bird whose voice we hear there, and so adapted is the seashore to its habits and necessities, that not even the rigorous cold of winter drives it inland; though now and then, during autumn, a few of these birds go to the heaths, which to them must bear some resemblance to the downs of the coast. It may be seen too, running over the grass of the salt marshes, and picking up the worms and salt-water insects, which lie hid in the pools and soft earth there; but it never congregates in flocks. In its mode of flight, its call, and songnotes, it is very similar to the meadow-pipit, which, as well as itself, loves the rocky shore, and sometimes sings there its gentle songs.

The rocks near the shore are often very beautiful when we are near enough to see the low grasses and flowers which are peculiar to them. It is among their crevices that our rock-pipit builds its nest, gathering thence for the little structure the dried grasses and seaweeds of which it is composed, and carolling near those crevices its early morning song. The nest is lined with fine grass or hair, and the eggs are of a pale yellowish grey, spotted and mottled with reddish-brown. If this pipit builds on the marsh its nest is placed on the ground.

The Great Pipit, or Richard's Pipit (Anthus Richardi,) though claiming, from its occasional visits, and its sweet song, a short notice, can hardly be called a British bird. It is a rare straggler to the south of England. It is much like the meadow species in manners and habits, though a larger bird, and its summer and winter changes of plumage, precisely similar. It is found in the warmer countries of Europe, but is truly a native of Africa.

Before passing onwards the Buntings require some mention, for although they are no great singers, they contribute in some small degree to the pleasant sounds of nature. These birds are distinguished from most of our small birds by a knob on the upper part of the bill, which they use as an anvil, on which to break nuts, grain, or other seeds. These and insects constitute their food.

Everybody knows the common Yellow Bunting, or Yellow Ammer* (Emberiza citrinella), whose bright yellow plumage is to be seen everywhere

* The Yellow Ammer is seven inches in length. Head and neck bright yellow, spotted with black; upper parts reddishbrown, spotted with yellow; wings and tail dusky black, edged with yellow; whole under parts bright yellow, spotted on the breast with reddish-brown; beak bluish-grey; feet pale brown.

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