THE GREAT PLOVER. 379 



frequently heard than seen, but that only by night. In 

 some of its habits it resembles the Bustard, and is said 

 even to associate, in Northern Africa, with the Lesser Bus- 

 tard. Its favourite places of resort are extensive plains j 

 it runs rapidly when disturbed, and when it does take 

 wing, flies for a considerable distance near the ground 

 before mounting into the air. 



By day the Thick-knee confines itself to the ground, 

 either crouching or hunting for food, which consists of 

 worms, slugs, and beetles, under stones, which it is taught 

 by its instinct to turn over. After sunset, it takes flight, 

 and probably rises to a great height, as its plaintive 

 whistle, which somewhat resembles the wail of a human 

 being, is often heard overhead when the bird is invisible. 

 It is singularly shy, and carefully avoids the presence 

 of human beings, whether sportsmen or labourers. Yet 

 it is not destitute of courage, as it has been seen to 

 defend its nest with vigour against the approach of sheep 

 or even of dogs. Nest, properly speaking, it has none, for 

 it contents itself with scratching a hole in the ground and 

 depositing two eggs. The males are supposed to assist in 

 the office of incubation. The young inherit the faculty of 

 running at an early age, being able to leave their birth- 

 place with facility soon after they are hatched; but the 

 development of their wings is a work of time, for their 

 body has attained its full size long before they are able to 

 rise from the ground. Before taking their departure south- 

 wards in autumn, they assemble in small parties, number- 

 ing from four to six or seven, when they are somewhat 

 more easy of approach than in spring. In the chalky 

 plains of La Marne in France they are very numerous ; 

 and here, by the aid of a light cart, fowlers in quest of 

 them have little difficulty in shooting large numbers, the 

 birds being less afraid of the approach of a horse than of 

 a human being. But when obtained they are of little 

 value, as their flesh is barely eatable. 



