BIRDS MET WITH BY THE WILDFOWLER 329 



another distinguishing feature is a light line extending along the 

 outstretched wing. It is a bird difficult to see on the ground, 

 especially if among stones and shingle, while its continuous note, 

 seeming to come from all directions and from the stones them- 

 selves, is most confusing. 



At all times of the year when we can find this bird on our 

 shores, whatever be the weather — amidst a howling winter's 

 gale and driving sleet, or under the blazing summer's sun, 

 when we can see the heated air quivering over the burning 

 stones, he is still there, apparently absolutely unmoved by the 

 all-powerful forces of nature. But the time to see him at his 

 best is in May : we are walking along, when suddenly his well- 

 known note strikes our ears, and we see him running along in 

 front of us ; we sit down to watch him, and he in his turn will 

 suddenly stop, and then running to some stone slightly higher 

 than its neighbours, stand up and watch us. His mate soon 

 joins him, and together they stand, now running a few yards 

 and then turning round to give us another look, while they 

 bob their heads up and down at the same time with a motion 

 so characteristic of the Plovers. Finally, seeing that we do not 

 go away they both get up and, calling out as they do so, fly 

 off' ; but in a minute or so one of them is back again, sitting 

 and watching us from his old stand. They have evidently 

 a nest somewhere near. 



One step, and there on the bare stones are four pear- 

 shaped eggs lying closely together. The birds, finding that 

 their treasure is discovered, circle round us, calling out 

 repeatedly till we pass on, leaving the hen to resume her 

 duties. 



The sexes are alike in plumage. General colour above pale 

 sandy brown, below white. Forehead white, followed by 

 a black band ; lores and band across chest black. Legs bright 

 yellow ; beak black, yellow at its base. Length 7.5 in. 



The young resemble the adults, with the exception of the 



