102 FAMILIAR WILD BIRDS. 



Yorkshire, Lancashire, Westmoreland, Northumberland, 

 and various parts ot" Scotland. The Soutlidowns of 

 Sussex are also _favourite resorts of the Dotterel, and upon 

 certain hills lying" between Lewes and l^riijhton flocks of 

 these birds may be met with every year with almost unfail- 

 ing regularity. As feeding-places it loves the high grounds, 

 downs, and moors, and is most commonly met with on the 

 fallow land and newly-ploughed fields that fringe the higher 

 parts of the downs and elevated portions of the country. 

 The food consists of worms, grubs, sliigs, and insects. 



When the birds arrive at the more northerly 

 localities above mentioned they usually frequent the 

 fallows and heaths for about a week, and then seek the 

 moss-covered mountains, which they select as breeding 

 places; and they seem to favour those particular localities 

 which are frequently obscured by the drenching rain and 

 mists. During incubation the Dotterel is generally to l)e 

 found in company with others of the same species, several 

 pairs appearing to live together in perfect harmony. The 

 nest is nothing more than a hole in the ground covered 

 with vegetation, and generally nc^r some stoiie or rock. 

 Three eggs are commonly laid ; they are of a yellowish- 

 olive colour, with sp()ts and markings of dark brownish- 

 black, and about an inch and three-quarters in length. 



During the breeding season the Dotterel is much more 

 wary and timid than at any other time, its ordinary 

 characteristic being what may be called dowm-ight stu- 

 ]>idity. So indifferent are these birJs to danger, that when 

 one of their number has been shot the remainder of the 

 Hock will fly only a little distance, and soon return to their 

 original feeding-place, even though the spr.rtsman, gun in 

 hand, is waiting further to reduce their munbors. An 



