74 BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 



any warning to the sitting hen, she rises and 

 flutters along in front, so as to try to decoy you 

 from the vicinity of her eggs. 



The Golden Plover seem to be much more shy 

 when they nest on hills which serve as sheep pas- 



YOUNG GOLDEN PLOVER CROUCHING TOGETHER FOR 

 WARMTH. 



tures, as where there are sheep, shepherds are con- 

 tinually walking to and fro on the hills and 

 must give the nesting birds great anxiety. When, 

 however, they nest on desolate hillsides they are 

 much more confiding; but the responsibility rests 

 almost entirely with the cock bird, and if he is 

 absent from the nest, the hen will sit until you are 

 almost upon her. 



