This is a close crop of the previous image. Note the lower mandible of this bird. Having been amazed by the bird's ability to separate snails from their shells this close-up image was initially a revelation. I convinced myself that this feature must be relevant. A knowledgeable & obliging contact at the African Bird Club kindly indulged my crazy theories & checked with the authorites holding the type-specimen of Sokoke Pipit. In the type-specimen the lower mandible is the same length as the upper & I can only assume my bird is atypical. It was suggested that the apparent longer lower mandible in this image was due to mud. I must admit I have my doubts about this but have no better explanation. Strangely, in other views of this bird the difference in mandible length wasn't apparent so perhaps there is an ability to push the lower mandible forward slightly(though clearly this is all wild conjecture!!!!).