98 THE BIRDS OF CUMBERLAND. 



ground, but amply protected by a very dense covert 

 of furze. 



In ordinary seasons, the majority of our female 

 Sheldrakes lay from seven to twelve eggs in May. 

 But, though May is the chief month for nesting, 

 yet odd clutches are found from April to June in- 

 clusive, and old birds probably nest earlier than 

 younger ones. 



The Sheldrake generally flies from the entrance 

 of her nesting-hole on to the nearest mud flats, but 

 if rain is falling, the print of her feet may some- 

 times be detected on the wet sand. In the early 

 hours of morning, the Sheldrake is less cautious than 

 at other times, and may then be watched ofl" her 

 nest. Another method of ascertaining the where- 

 abouts of a nest is to insert a long briar, to which 

 a few flakes of the delicate greyish down are sure 

 to adhere if the nest be occupied. 



The distance at which the eggs are deposited 

 from the entrance varies with the character of the 

 soil and with the whim of the individual. Occa- 

 sionally they are placed within a few feet of the 

 entrance, but in a light sandy soil the distance is 

 generally much greater. 



The nests of such birds as lay a few feet from 

 the entrance are often robbed, the eggs being placed 

 for hatching beneath domestic fowls. The Shel- 

 drake occasionally drops single eggs on the bare 

 sand. The young ones in down are often captured, 

 when making their way after their parents along 

 the creeks of the salt marshes. They run with 

 great rapidity, uttering a clear piping whistle, and 



