Proceedings, 67 



these are locally called '♦ back-stays," and prevent the foot 

 from sinking back into the shingle. 



A boatman who accompanied us knew the whereabouts of 

 a nest of Norfolk Plover, and with his assistance, after some 

 searching, we were fortunate enough to spot the two large 

 handsome eggs lying side by side on the stones, very difficult 

 objects to distinguish among the pebbles. 



This shy and retiring bird, the Norfolk Plover, is, according 

 to Capt. Verner, rapidly becoming extinct in this neighbour- 

 hood, and only a very few pau's now remain to breed on the 

 vast extent of pebbles. 



By day the Thick-knee remains mostly inactive, turning 

 over a few stones here and there in search of a stray beetle or 

 slug ; but at dusk it takes flight, and its curious weird 

 whistle, perhaps best expressed by the word turlin, may be 

 heard overhead, apparently at a great height. 



After taking some shots with the Camera at the nest, a 

 mUe or so of tedious shingle-walking brought us to a fine 

 Eedshank's nest, placed in a hollow in a patch of grass, quite 

 overhung by dried bents and sprigs of dwarfed Broom. This 

 accounts for the somewhat unsuccessful photograph. The 

 eggs, four in number, were placed point to point ; a common 

 feature in the Plover family. 



" Carlo," Capt. Verner's dog, now proved himself an adept 

 at finding Terns' nests on the shingle. This he did by 

 sniffing along the pebbles until he could scent the birds, tlien, 

 following the trail to the nest, he would come to a dead halt, 

 and carefully lick the eggs. 



In this way he discovered at least four Common Terns' 

 nests, and also one Skylark's, a common beach-breeder, con- 

 taining young. 



Some little way ahead appeared a series of small ponds, and 

 we were delighted at seeing, wading about in the shallow 

 water, a fair-sized party of shore birds. Lying down flat 

 upon the ground, for there was absolutely no "cover," and 

 gradually wriggling ourselves along the short turf, taking 

 advantage of every hillock and depression, and Carlo following 

 our example, we managed to approach them very closely. 



