450 



WADING BIRDS. 



The Plovers (Charadrias]. These birds have no hinder toe, and 

 a moderate beak, which is compressed and slightly enlarged at the 

 tip. They live together in numerous flocks, frequent damp meadows, 

 and strike the earth with their feet, in order to disturb the worms 

 upon which they live. 



We may also mention the Sand-pipers (Tringa) 

 and the Oyster-catchers (Hasmatopus), the latter having 

 a beak straight, pointed, compressed into a wedge 

 shape, and sufficiently strong to enable them to open 

 small shell-fish, upon which they feed. They like- 

 wise, however, dig in the earth in search of worms. 

 Most of the little birds of this tribe make no regular 

 nest, but deposit their eggs, four in number, in a 

 cavity slightly scratched among sand and pebbles, 



FlG. 377. NEST OF THE DUNLIN. 



which they so much resemble in size and colour that 

 they are not easily discovered; or like the Sea- 

 snipe, they construct on the ground, among long 

 grass and heather, an apology for a nest composed 

 of a little moss and some dried leaves and fibres. 

 In this the female contrives to place her eggs so that 

 they occupy the smallest possible space, by making 

 them all meet at their smaller ends, which taper much 

 more than the eggs of most other birds (Fig. 377). 



