114 The Ottawa Naturalist [December 



The Killdeer usually arrives during the first week in April and a 

 little later the birds have chosen their summer homes. Pebbly or 

 rocky pastures and hillsides, near ponds, are their favorite grounds 

 for nesting purposes. From April 24th to May 6th the set of three 

 or four eggs may be found in such localities. The novice may have 

 some difficulty in discovering the nest amongst pebbles and lichens so 

 cunningly are the eggs placed and so well do they harmonize with their 

 general surroundings; but the experienced eye can detect the eggs 

 some yards off. The saucer-shaped nest is generally encircled by 

 pebbles or stones and is lined with lichen, pieces of wood and weeds, 

 manure and pebbles. One nest was located amongst stones near a 

 stone fence. One pair of birds were succssful in raising a brood 

 alongside a wagon road running through a pasture. 



During the mating season the birds are evidently nervous, as they 

 make many attempts in excavating holes or nests in the ground, or 

 perhaps these are only decoy nests. The real nest, however, is usually 

 not very far away 'from such endeavors. In two instances the bird has 

 been flushed off the nest a few feet away, but this is the exception 

 rather than the rule. If one is watchful the bird may be seen running 

 quietly away from the nest, but I believe the birds are off feeding 

 most of the time, especially in bright, warm weather. The eggs have 

 often been found with no birds in sight. Usually, however, they are 

 very alert and soon make their presence known should anyone pass 

 near the vicinity of the nest. After the nest is found it is rather 

 amusing to watch the actions of the female. The bird, of course, is 

 endeavoring to lead the intruder away and will squat down in some 

 slight hollow in the ground as if she were about to settle on the nest, 

 and will keep this performance up for some distance should she be 

 successful in her efforts, returning to the nest by a circuitous route. I 

 have only seen one bird feign a broken wing and turn somersaults, 

 thus displaying the beautiful plumage of this species. The Killdeer 

 raises at least two broods in a season. 



W. J. Brown. 



BIRD NOTES. 

 By Frank C. Hennessey, B.A. 



Rapacity or the Bronzed Grackle. (Q. q. aeneus.) 



At Albion, Michigan, on May 25, 1916, and also on the 29th 

 of the same month, I observed an action which, so far as I know, 

 has not been attributed to the bronzed grackle. 



