BIRD-LIFE ON THE MOORS IN MAY. 



41 



May 15th. — The Grouse are now hatching in all directions. 

 This is about their regular average date. The Grey-hens 

 are all beginning to sit. 



This is also the date when the Sandpipers lay. As already 

 mentioned, these charming little waders appear on every 

 turn and river, about the end of April, and no bird, not even 

 the Swallow, is more intimately associated with the return of 

 summer, than is this cheery and graceful little angler's 

 companion. Many of the pleasantest days at this season 



A^'GLERS' COMPAXIONS. THE SANDPIPER. 



are spent rambling along the burn-sides with one's rod, 

 and all day long one is accompanied by the Dipper, the 

 Wagtails, and the Sandpiper — the latter flitting along the 

 stream just ahead, or perching on a rail or furze-bush, for 

 ever flicking up his tail, and trilling out his cheery song. 



By mid-May, the Sandpipers have laid their four pretty 

 eggs under the shelter of some tuft on a shelving bank, 

 among a bed of osiers, or such-like situation. Their nests 

 being right in the fisherman's track, are often discovered by 

 the old bird fluttering out across the shingle, with well- 



