Auks, Gulls, and Plovers 



423 



male. As is the case where this reversal occurs, the duties of incubation fall mainly or 

 entirely upon the smaller and duller male. It is interesting to note, furthermore, that only 

 in the phalaropes is there a seasonal change of plumage : in the painted snipe the same livery 

 is worn all the -year round. 



Many of the plovers have no seasonal change of plumage, but both male and female wear 

 all the year round, some a more or less markedly bright-coloured livery, as the DOTTEREL and 

 TURNSTONES, others a more sober vestment, as the CURLEWS and SNIPE, for example. 



The SNIPE and WOODCOCK may be cited as especially instructive forms in this connection, 

 showing, in regard to the beak, for instance, undoubted proof of this structural modification, 

 the result of adaptation to the peculiar method of seeking their food. This beak constitutes 

 an organ of touch of great sensitiveness, and is used as a probe, to thrust down into the soft 

 soil in the search for hidden worms. 



Of the three species of snipe which occur in Britain, probably the one known as the COMMON 



Photo by Billingtori] 



INDIAN BUSTARDS. 

 Bustards have very short toes, like many other birds which walk much on sandy soil. 



SNIPE is most familiar; but it will, perhaps, be new to some to learn that this bird ranks 

 as a musical performer, on account of a very extraordinary "bleating" or "drumming'' noise 

 which it gives forth, especially during the spring of the year the season of courtship. We 

 cannot describe this noise better, perhaps, than as an unusually high-pitched " hum," produced, 

 it is generally held, by wind driven between the outer tail-featners by the rapid vibration of 

 the wings as the bird descends, or rather pitches, at a fearful pace, earthwards. These feathers 

 have the shafts peculiarly thickened ; and it is interesting to note that the characteristic sound 

 may be artificially produced if they be fastened to a stick and rapidly whirled through the air. 

 The snipe and woodcock are not the only members of the Plover Tribe whose beaks have 

 undergone marked structural modifications ; indeed, many instances could be cited, but two or 

 three must suffice. In the AVOCET the beak turns upwards like an awl, and the bird is in 

 consequence known in some places as the COBBLER'S- AWL DUCK. In one particular, however, 

 the beak differs from an awl, tapering as it does to an exceedingly fine point. When the 



