Bird Life in Dutch Marshes 



2.58 



their mioTy excitement at my presence so near tlieir freslily 

 hatched yoiino-. Sometimes their nests are substantially 

 l)uilt in shahow water, similar to those seen in the 

 south of Spain. Hut in the deeper waters which generally 

 pre^■ail tliey adoi)t other methods, and lay their very 

 dark, pointed eggs, without any attempt at a nest, on 



Is'esi" or AvocKT {Rccurvirtstra avucetta). 



the Boating masses of reed-stems, scum, and rubbish of 

 all kinds whicli accimiulates, and gradually forms a kind 

 of floating island, in which seeds of various marsh plants 

 and flowers s})ring up and grow luxuriantly. In such 

 places perhaps a dozen nests may be seen, sometimes 

 alone, but often in company with Connnon Terns'. At 



