266



“A Triple Alliance .”



thought they were very clever and usually approached the nest in

a crouching manner and with lowered crest. As a matter of fact

the net result was very poor as the nest was not large enough for

the eggs afterwards laid, and one on several occasions got pushed

out and I had to put it back. The eggs were blotched something

like a common Lapwing’s in colour but more the shape of an

ordinary fowl’s egg, and were not arranged in the nest with

points to the centre like the common Lapwings.


The first egg was laid on the 24th March and three more

on the 26th, 28th and 31st. Whether the winged bird or one of

the others laid the eggs I cannot say as they were both constantly

going on and off the nest. They both began to sit in turns on

1st April, the third bird apparently being little interested in the

nesting operation, but all along all three birds were on quite

friendly terms and there was no suggestion of jealousy.


The first week in April was truly arctic weather and it was

strange to see one of the Plover sitting on the eggs with the

ground all round covered with snow. As these birds are said

to nest in Argentina in the month of June if the weather is

favourable, I quite expected the severe frosts and blizzards we had

in early April would make my birds desert the nest, but to their

credit they did not. The only thing that really disturbed them

nesting was a wild Ring-necked cock Pheasant that would stand

amongst some fir trees just outside the run to watch proceed¬

ings. This conduct, thoughtlessly repeated, caused all three

Plovers to rush violently about and set up deafening yells that

could be heard half-a-mile off.


Matters went on like this until utli April, the winged bird

and its mate sitting on the eggs and standing to guard the nest in

turn, and so far there appeared to be merely a friendly under¬

standing with the third bird. On nth April, however, a striking

change occurred, the third bird began to assist at the nest,

occasionally sitting, standing on guard or joining with one of the

others in throwing bits of grass about near the nest. This third

ally seemed to be quite welcomed by the other two birds.


On 16th April hearing the three allies making a most awful

noise I went to see the cause and found they had removed one of

the eggs at least a yard from the nest. I placed it back again and



