44 BIRDS' NESTS 



ground, and in each family the species make no 

 actual nest, but incubate their eggs on the deserts 

 and marshes where such a structure would only 

 court discovery. Incidentally I may also mention 

 that in a great many instances the Lapwing makes no 

 nest whatever, depositing its eggs upon the bare 

 pastures; but at other times it will be found to 

 make a slight but perfect receptacle for its spotted 

 treasures, the peculiarities of the ground apparently 

 being the sole determining influence. If a nest would 

 be conspicuous it is omitted, if the nature of the 

 ground admits of such a structure it is generally 

 made. The Stone Curlew furnishes yet another 

 instance of a nestless species from this order of 

 birds, and its peculiar method of nidification fully 

 warrants this omission from its domestic arrange- 

 ments. As most readers may know, it dwells upon 

 open heaths and deposits its eggs usually on some 

 stone-strewn patch of ground where their tints closely 

 harmonise with surrounding objects, and where a 

 nest would only assist in betraying their whereabouts 

 to enemies. Some of the Gulls often refrain from 

 making any nest whatever; whilst Terns of many 

 species are absolutely nestless — the Lesser Tern for 

 example — whilst others make more or less finished 

 homes — the Common Tern for instance — the peculiari- 

 ties of the site apparently being the determining factor. 

 Thus the Lesser Tern delights to breed on shingly 

 beaches where a nest would be decidedly conspicuous, 



