526 SANDPIPERS AND RELATED SPECIES 



variation in opinion as to what constitutes neatness in a Wader's 

 nest. 



The eggs of the bartailed-godwit are usually four in number, 

 sometimes only three, and strongly pyriform in shape. They very 

 closely resemble those of the blacktailed species, but the markings 

 are rather more distinct as a rule and more evenly distributed over 

 the egg, instead of being concentrated at the big end. Average size 

 of 30 eggs, 2-05x1-45 in. [52'3x36'9 mm.]. The ground-colour is 

 also more frequently brownish, and only rarely greenish. 1 



In both species the incubating bird generally leaves the nest 

 while an intruder on the breeding-ground is a considerable distance 

 off, or it may occasionally sit tight, allowing itself to be all but caught 

 before it leaves, apparently relying on the protective coloration of 

 its russet spring dress to save it from detection. Of the bartailed 

 Mr. Popham says, " one sits tight, another meets the intruder a mile 

 from the nest, and never leaves until he is well away." All the time 

 the birds keep up an incessant screaming, both on the wing and 

 when standing on the ground. When a nesting-ground of the black- 

 tailed is invaded the birds join in mobbing, when the din becomes 

 tremendous. 



When the young are hatched the old birds show their anxiety by 

 becoming more clamorous when danger threatens, and are very 

 bold in attacking crows and hawks. They may also frequently be 

 seen attempting to drive away horses and cows. 2 Mr. Chapman 

 observed that the chicks when only one or two days old are very 

 adept at walking in rough grass, and they utter a plaintive call-note 

 when trying to find each other. 3 Sonnemann says the young hide so 

 well that it is almost impossible to find them without a dog. 4 



All observers agree that the male of the blacktailed-godwit bears 

 his full share of the duties of incubation, and Mr. Popham found the 

 male sitting on three out of four nests of the bartailed species. The 



1 F. C. R. Jourdain (in litt.). 



2 Vogel Mitteleuropas, ix. p. 118 ; Dresser, Birds of Europe, viii. p. 216. 



3 Ibis, 1894, p. 340. 4 Vogel Mitteleuropas, ix. p. 118. 



