44 BIRDS AND IMAN 



not at fault. In one case it is necessary that he 

 should guard himself while trying to save his nest ; 

 in another case the danger is to the nest only, and 

 he then shows that he has no fear for liimself. The 

 most striking instance I have met with, bearing 

 on this last point, relates to the action of a spur- 

 winged lapwing observed on the Pampas. The bird's 

 loud excited cries attracted my attention ; a sheep 

 was lying down with its nose directly over the nest, 

 containing three eggs, and the plover was trying to 

 make it get up and go away. It was a hot day and 

 the sheep refused to stir ; possibly the fanning of 

 the bird's wings was grateful to her. After beating 

 the sheep's face for some time it began pecking 

 sharply at the nose ; then the sheep raised her head, 

 but soon grew tired of holding it up, and no sooner 

 was it lowered than the blows and peckings began 

 again. Again the head was raised, and lowered 

 again with the same result, and this continued for 

 about twelve or fourteen minutes, until the annoy- 

 ance became intolerable ; then the sheep raised 

 her head and refused to lower it any more, and in 

 that very uncomfortable position, with her nose high 

 in the air, she appeared determined to stay. In 

 vain the lapwing waited, and at last began to make 

 little jumps at the face. The nose was out of reach, 



