BIRDS OF LOCH AND MOUNTAIN 105 



the change takes place the wing-beats are also 

 changed. The only other bird in which I have 

 noticed this peculiarity is the Golden Plover. 



Another note used by the Oyster Catcher 

 is one which seems to be indulged in only 

 when three or four birds are together, and very 

 often in the calm of a summer evening. The 

 notes are uttered slowly to begin with, but soon 

 follow each other in rapid succession, and all the 

 time the company of birds run backwards and 

 forwards with their heads down and bills almost 

 touching the ground, seemingly indulging in a kind 

 of " follow my leader " game. 



It is an interesting fact that the Oyster Catchers 

 can do without practically any sleep during the 

 twenty-four hours. They are to be heard at all 

 hours of the day and during the summer nights 

 as well, when, along with the Sandpipers, they may 

 be heard at midnight down by the swiftly rushing 

 river. 



I once saw what appeared to be an attempt 

 by a pair of Oyster Catchers to evict from a small 

 island the pair that Were already in possession. 

 First one bird appeared on the scene, and with 

 repeated swoops attempted to drive the sitting hen 

 from the eggs, which he easily succeeded in doing. 

 Then he and the pair in possession rushed back- 

 wards and forwards across the islet, whistling loudly 

 and looking very comical with their heads almost 

 touching the ground. Whenever the hen attempted 

 to go back to her nest, the intruder went for her 

 immediately and swooped repeatedly at her, she 

 receiving the onslaught with tail in air, which seems 

 to be the recognised mode of defence among 

 ground-nesting birds. After an hour or so of this 



