461. GRALLATORES. 



with dry grasses and other vegetable remains. The eggs, 

 four in number, are of a deep oil-green colour, blotched 

 with blackish-brown, the spots being most n\imerous at 

 the larger end. During incubation, when disturbed from 

 its nest, this bird is very vociferous, flying round the 

 intruder, and unceasingly uttering its shrill and piping 

 notes. Upon the coast it is very wild and wary, and as 

 it always gives a loud whistle on first rising, it spreads 

 the alarm amongst all other birds near at hand, and 

 thereby often disappoints the shooter in his expectations 

 of sport ; hence it is a constant subject of malediction, 

 and has received the name of the " Tell-tale." 



