ii2 Baby Birds at Home 



The food of this species consists of worms, 

 slugs, grubs, beetles, and all kinds of in- 

 sects. 



The nest is made amongst coarse grass, 

 fringe moss, or short heather. It is a neat 

 cup-shaped hollow, lined with small blades 

 of dead grass, rushes, or slender stalks of 

 heather. 



Four pear-shaped eggs somewhat larger 

 than those of the lapwing are laid. They 

 are yellowish stone, or cream colour, marked 

 with blackish brown spots. 



The baby birds are covered with a 

 beautiful coat of golden-coloured down, 

 marked with black and greyish white. 

 They run about as soon as they are hatched, 

 and are brooded and looked after by the 

 male as well as the female. 



When the breeding season is over the 

 birds gather together in large flocks, and 

 leaving the high moors, migrate to lower 

 country, where they spend their time in 

 fallow fields and pastures or on mudflats by 

 the seashore. They frequently fly by night, 

 and in consequence are sometimes killed by 

 coming in contact with telegraph wires. 



