BIRDS OF THE COMMONS 67 



chestnut. Belly black. Tail-coverts white. Bill black. 

 Legs and feet dusky green. Length 9 in. Female, 

 rather larger and brighter. Young : crown and upper 

 parts margined with rufous buff ; breast mottled with 

 greyish brown ; under parts dull white. Young in 

 down : huffish with blackish and rufous markings. 



Language. — Said to be a low, unmusical chirp ; very 

 silent. 



Habits. — On its first arrival it moves about the country 

 in small flocks known as " trips " but soon goes north 

 to breed. It is almost foolishly tame, and its name is 

 probably derived from " dotard." It runs with great 

 rapidity. 



Food. — Insects and their larvae, beetles, wire-worms, 

 &c. 



Nest. — June. One brood. 



Site. — On the ground, among short grass growing 

 near a mountain-top. 



Materials. — None. 



Eggs. — Three. Yellowish oUve, blotched and spotted 

 with brownish black. 



