484 SANDPIPERS AND RELATED SPECIES 



edge of or in a tuft of Dryas, and consisted of a sparse lining of the 

 leaves of Salix or other plants in a shallow depression. The first eggs 

 were found on June 28th, and as these had been incubated for some 

 days, laying probably began about the 20th. Eggs were found as late 

 as July 15th. 



The eggs are four in number, pyriform in shape, and placed with 

 converging points. In appearance they have been aptly compared to 

 miniature curlews' eggs, being generally light greenish in ground- 

 colour, occasionally with an ochreous tinge, with fine olive-brown 

 spots and ashy shellmarks, and sometimes a few dark blackish 

 streaks or spots at the big end. Average size of eighteen eggs, 

 1-41 x -98 in. [35-8 x 24'9 mm.]. 1 



In one important particular Herr Manniche differs from other 

 observers. He states that although the males faithfully accompanied 

 the females whilst laying was in progress, yet as soon as incubation 

 commenced they gathered in small parties joining with the flocks of 

 male knots and turnstones and left all further duties to the females. 

 He found no sign of a brooding spot on the males he examined, and 

 said that they usually left the country some days before the middle of 

 July. Unless the species varies in this respect in different localities, 

 Herr Manniche was mistaken in this conclusion, as Colonel Feilden 

 shot a male from the nest in Grinnell Land, 2 and of four birds found 

 incubating by Dr. Walter two were males. Moreover, on July the 16th 

 and 29th, when he collected some young in down, the male was tending 

 them and showed great anxiety, but the female was not seen. 3 



The manoeuvres of the female to save her nest from discovery, as 

 observed by Herr Manniche, correspond very closely with those of 

 many other Waders. The most usual method of procedure is to leave 

 the nest secretly at an early sign of danger, and by running quietly 

 away, taking advantage of hollows in the ground and hiding behind 

 stones and plants, get a considerable distance from the nest before 

 showing herself. She may then fly up, and settling again try by 



' F. C. R. Jourdain, in litt. J Ibis, 1877, p. 406. 3 Ibis, 1904, p. 230. 



