10(5 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. ix. 



(Fig. 2) pattered over the stones ; Oyster-CatcJiers, Red- 

 shanks and Black-headed Gidls plaj-ed there all day long. 

 Common Sandpipers (Fig. 3) constantly ran ]iast, while 

 the Goosanders preened and sunned themselves just 

 round the comer out of range. Some of the birds 

 A^'ere nesting, but many of tlie Redshanks and Oyster- 

 Catchers were still iiuliilghiig in their beautiful courting 

 dis]3lay. 



The courtship of a couple of Oyster-Catchers caused 

 me much amusement. The hen pretended she had no 

 follower, and she led her admirer a long walk alongside 

 the river, holdmg her head high and step])ing damtily 

 (Fig. 4). He followed in her wake humbly, adoringly, 

 wooing her with the most beautifully subdued, but clear, 

 flute-like whistles. His dulcet tones were enough to 

 cajole the heart out of any Oyster-Catcher, however 

 proud. But she tripped unconcernedly to and fro by 

 the water's edge, now and again stopping so suddenly 

 and unexpectedly that her pursuer nearly cannoned into 

 her, and both himself and his whistling were brought 

 up short. When this occurred, he in turn assumed 

 indifference, and receding a few steps, stood looking 

 dowii stream (Fig. 5) until she elected to move on. 

 This, I conclude, was all part of the science of flirtation 

 as understood by the Oyster-Catcher. It was a* 

 beautiful game to watch in the brilliant sunshine, by 

 the foaming liver. 



At noon daily, a Redshank flew from her nest 

 on the uplands and fed feverishly for half an hour 

 (Fig. 6). She always came to the same feeding ground, 

 a narrow stretch of mud about fifty yards long. 

 Another Redshank, evidently her mate, watclied for her 

 and called repeatedly if she lingered. As soon as she 

 arrived he accompanied her to and fro. using all the 

 dainty, alluring gestures of the courting dis])lay — dancing 

 beside her with uplifted wings, his feet scarcely touching 

 the earth, and " yodelling '" contmuously. But she was 

 preoccupied and evidently considered such frivolities a 



