304 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



its comportment. It would now and then thrust its head and a 

 great part of its neck into the water, as if catching something that 

 swam or floated up with the rising tide; or it would suddenly 

 snap at some object in the manner of a dog catching flies. For 

 half an hour the bird was thus engaged without moving a foot, 

 until the flowing water caused it to remove to a place of safety. 

 It then flew a considerable way up the burn, and alighted on the 

 bank, where it walked and ran, in the most lively manner, in 

 search of insects. Its flight was slow, regular, and graceful. 

 When on wing the neck was considerably arched, the wings 

 remarkably convex, and the legs thrust out behind. All its 

 movements, whether on wing or on foot, were characterized by 

 comeliness and agility. 



" The author of the charming history of Selborne thought it 

 would be 'a matter of great curiosity to see the stilt plover move.' 

 At best it could be but a ' bad walker.' It wanted the back toe 

 1 that steady prop to support its steps ;' would perpetually vacillate, 

 and ' seldom be able to preserve the true centre of gravity.' Such 

 was the speculation of one of our best observers regarding this 

 peculiar bird. I note the passage as showing the futility of 

 attempting to throw any light on the habits of our feathered 

 favourites, except by actual observation." 



In the month of October following, a Black-winged Stilt was 

 seen at Fossil marsh, within four miles of Glasgow. It frequented 

 the place three or four days, and was distinctly observed by dif- 

 ferent persons. Notwithstanding repeated attempts on its life, 

 the bird luckily escaped. 



Writing from Dumfriess-shire, on 25th December, of the same 

 year, Sir William Jardine has sent me the following note: " My 

 gamekeeper gave me the description of a bird he saw about six 

 weeks ago, that I could make out to be nothing but a Black-winged 

 Stilt, and I heard of it being killed about eight miles off, but it 

 had been thrown out, and not a feather was to be got." 



The figure in the accompanying plate has been drawn by Mr 

 Sinclair, from a specimen in his own collection. 



