IN NORFOLK BY THE SEA 169 



to the nest. When it was about a yard away the 

 sitting bird would slip off and, staying for no greet- 

 ings, run past and away to the pine-bank. Though 

 I watched these birds for many hours on several 

 days, I never but once saw any change in this pro- 

 cedure. It was interesting to notice that the bird 

 alway rose backwards off the eggs, so that its long 

 legs should not disturb the eggs ; and that the new- 

 comer did not turn the eggs immediately, but squatted 

 perfectly still for perhaps a minute, as if to make sure 

 it was not observed. And after the eggs were satis- 

 factorily bestowed, and all the coast seemed clear, the 

 bird would close its eyes in the hot sunshine and 

 appear to go to sleep. But even then I could scarce 

 move so much as a finger above the grasses, but 

 instantly it was off its nest and away. 



I never but once heard these birds make their well- 

 known night-call, and that was in the daytime, and 

 before they had fairly begun to sit. But they often 

 made another little noise — a short, clear note of 

 warning. And so I tried experiments, crawling round 

 to another point from which the nest was out of sight, 

 but from which I could see the sentry bird standing 

 at its post. Then I could make never so slight a 

 movement but with that the watcher gave his quiet 



