6 SCOLOPACID^. 



and the grass being so short they had difficulty in concealing their eggs with their 

 accustomed caution ; they were just beginning to lay. In like manner Reeves 

 were breeding in considerable numbers ; but they seemed to prefer the islets, where 

 the grass was longer and rougher, and here we found most of their nests. We 

 were informed that the Reeves had arrived at tlieir breeding-grounds about 

 April 23rd, and that the Avocets {Becurvirostra avocetta), which also were breeding 



here, had arrived about a week earlier This hearsay evidence seemed to 



be correct, because the Avocets had already full clutches of eggs, while in most 

 cases the Reeves were still only laying. The Reeves were breeding on the islets 

 and promontory, as well as in suitable places amongst the sandhills, but the 

 Avocets appeared to confine themselves entirely to the salt-grass. The Reeves 

 seemed to breed quite separately one from another; but it was noticeable that the 

 Avocets had a tendency to congregate, and that they were nearly all breeding in 

 two or three more or less confined areas of ground. The Reeve invariably 

 chooses a tuft of long rough grass for its nest, which is deep and always well 

 concealed, whereas the nests of the Avocets were merely such depressions as 

 would be caused by the reposing of the bird on the grass. Four is the usual 

 complement of eggs with both these species, but in many cases there were only 

 three, while one Avocet's nest contained five eggs. In one instance a Redshank 

 and Reeve had laid together in the same nest. The Avocets cannot be said to be 

 tame at their nests ; they keep circling round, uttering a pretty liquid cry, like 

 ' whick-whick,' but they seldom come within shot, though, with the aid of a 

 stalking-horse, I was able to shoot one specimen with a walking-stick gun." 



