THE EGGS ON TOP OF THE HILL 89 



attempt at nest building ; just a few 

 grasses were placed in a hollow, and the 

 four eggs were laid. But the sitting 

 bird added to her home, and often while 

 covering the eggs she would pick up a 

 piece of grass and place it under her breast. 

 On a slightly higher mound near by 

 the male bird made a nest for himself, 

 but it was even a worse nest than that 

 made by his mate. He often rested 

 there, and while sitting down he turned 

 round and round, and a nice cup-shaped 

 hollow was made, and he added a few 

 pieces of dry grass. When he had had 

 sufficient food he would go there, and if 

 any one approached he would be the 

 first to see them, and, giving out a loud 

 cry, would rise straight from where he 

 was sitting. As soon as his mate heard 

 that alarm cry, she would slip off her 

 eggs, and, crouching low, would run for 

 twenty yards or more, and with a loud 

 answering cry fly up and join her mate. 



