BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 65 



Materials. Sometimes a few bits of grass, but 

 generally nothing whatever, in the slight declivity 

 made or selected. 



Eggs. Two, varying in ground-colour from 

 greyish-yellow to clay-colour, blotched, spotted, 

 and streaked with dark brown, light brown, and 

 greyish-blue. They harmonise very closely with 

 their surroundings. Size about 2.1 by 1.55 in. 

 (See Plate VIII.) 



Time. May and June. Eggs have, however, 

 been found as late as September. 



Remarks. -Migratory, arriving in April and 

 departing in October or November. Note : very 

 loud and shrill, and uttered particularly at dusk of 

 evening. Local and other names : Norfolk Plover, 

 Stone Plover, Thicknee, Common Thicknee, Thick- 

 kneed Bustard, Whistling Plover. A light sitter. 



DABCHICK. See GREBE, LITTLE, 



DAW. See JACKDAW. 



DIPPER. Also WATER OUZEL. 



(Cinclus aquaticus.} 

 Order PASSERES ; Family CINCLID^E (DIPPERS). 



Description of Parent Birds. Length about 

 seven and a half inches. Bill of medium length, 

 nearly straight, and black. Irides hazel. Head 

 and back of neck dark brown. Back, wings, rump, 

 and tail, which is short, black. Chin, throat, and 

 upper breast snowy white. Belly chestnut brown 



