The Lapwing 



their choice, but there is more " show " than strife, lengthy 

 aerial chases with much calling out but very little serious 

 fighting. Once, however, these early difficulties have been 

 overcome, the colony settles down in peace, a few ousted 

 pairs being left to seek some fresh ground. 



The nest is merely a shallow platform of roots and bents, 

 placed on a small hollowed-out "scrape" on the ground. 

 Over the actual choice of a site there seems to be some 

 difficulty, as many " scrapes " are generally to be found 

 within a few yards of the spot eventually chosen. Towards 

 the latter end of March the four pear-shaped eggs, so well 

 known in poulterers' shops, are laid, and the hen commences 

 her incubation duties, which last about nineteen days. 

 During this period her mate wanders about in the vicinity 

 of the nest, keeping an ever- watchful eye for any intruder. 

 As soon as we are seen approaching he is up in the air, 

 flying round with a great noise and performing at the same 

 time a curious tumble, but recovering himself before touching 

 the ground ; after two or three minutes of these antics 

 however, he goes away, having apparently no further interest 

 in us or the place. We may then walk about the field in 

 vain so far as that pair is concerned, for they will not 

 return to settle while we are there and the eggs are so 

 protectively coloured that the chances of our seeing them, 

 even if we walk right by them, are exceedingly remote. 

 While we were watching the male bird perform his curious 

 antics, the hen, warned by his cries, quietly slipped off the 

 nest, and flying low skimmed the next hedge and so away, 

 and he, having watched her safely into a neighbouring field, 

 goes off to join her and leaves us to find the eggs if we can. 



37 



