27



on the Ringed Plover as an Aviary Bird.


river Stour, my attention was attracted by some birds on the

water-line some distance away. Being tolerably certain that a

nearer approach would only end in their flight, I sat down among

the dunes just at the back of the beach, where I had a convenient

opportunity of studying the birds through my field glasses. My

curiosity was aroused after some time by noticing that every now

and again some of the birds flew or ran from the water-line to

the back of the beach where they remained a few moments, and

then rejoined their companions by the waves. This went on for

about an hour, until, after having noticed that certain of the

birds always went to the same spot, I gradually edged my way as

stealthily as I could nearer and nearer, still carefully focussing

my glasses on the line of shingle they kept returning to. That

there were nests there, there was little doubt, but knowing the

extreme difficulty of finding the eggs or young except by pure

accident I had little hope of being successful in discovering either,

but thought it was as well to try and see what could be done.


After very closely watching for nearly another hour some

signs of movement were detected among the pebbles ; the spot

was carefully marked and then I arose and approached it. The

majority of the Plovers flew off but two or three endeavoured by

artifice to attract my attention to themselves ; this however was

unavailing, and after a minute search round the marked spot I

discovered two downy little mites. As four is the usual number

of eggs laid by the hen Ringed Plover there were probably two

others, but, in spite of examining every inch, as I thought, for

yards round, I was unable to find more. Not having any basket

with me I was at a loss to know what to do with my young

captives. But whilst putting damp sand and some pebbles into

a straw hat hardly improved either its appearance or utility as an

article of wearing apparel, it certainly formed a makeshift arrange¬

ment which answered the purpose.


Having got the youngsters home it was a poser to me to

know upon what they should be fed ; they obstinately refused all

food that evening, and would not look at hard-boiled egg the

next morning; I sent a wire off for a supply of mealworms and

fresh ants’ eggs to be sent me immediately as there were none to



