1 62 SOME BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA 



spot where I had seen the bird run from, and then I 

 saw, partly hidden by the sand, two light-coloured eggs. 

 The tides vary much in the Knysna estuary, and I 

 could see that at one time the river had been up as 

 far as the nest, round which the bird had made a little 

 trench, apparently with the object of diverting the water. 

 With regard to the birds themselves perhaps I may 

 be allowed to remark at some length. The first cir- 

 cumstance that would attract the attention of the passer- 

 by would probably be a low note, pir-rit, uttered very 

 softly ; this may be repeated, and on looking to see 

 whence the sound proceeds you may distinguish the bird 

 running swiftly in front of you, then stopping suddenly, 

 standing quite still, and looking at you. The note is 

 repeated, and you are aware that two birds are stand- 

 ing close together, watching you ; one of them will 

 perhaps give a quick, stiff little bow, and then stand still 

 again. If you move towards them they will wait until 

 you are within a short distance, and then both of them 

 will commence running as hard as they can, with legs 

 slightly bent, and bodies rather hunched up. They run 

 so evenly and smoothly, and their legs move so quickly, 

 that they appear to be sliding along invisible wires. 

 Again they come to a stand, utter their low call pir- 

 rit > and seem to wonder what you want with them. 

 If you press them too far, so that they are driven off 

 the strip of white sand on to the green grass, their 

 instinct seems to tell them that here they are con- 

 spicuous, and they will not run on this grass but will 

 take wing over the water, returning to the extremity 

 of the white sand along which you have already passed. 

 You can do no more with them in this way, but if 



