THICKNEES. 



459 



A common summer visitor to the heathy and other open districts of England, as 

 well as to many parts of North- Western Europe, the ordinary thicknee is a per- 

 manent resident on the shores of the Mediterranean and in North Africa, as well 

 as in Palestine and Persia ; while in summer it also visits Turkestan and Western 

 Siberia, and in winter migrates to India. India also possesses a resident variety, 

 distinguished by its shorter wing ; while the genus is represented by four species 

 in Africa, by two in South America, and one in Australia. 



The thicknees are largely nocturnal in their habits, and frequent much the 



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COMMON THICKNEE (J nat. size). 



same kind of country as the bustards, where they feed chiefly on worms, slugs, and 

 insects, although they will also devour field-voles and reptiles. Their cry is loud 

 and clear, although harsh, and is uttered with the greatest frequency on moonlight 

 nights. A rapid runner, the common thicknee is likewise a bird of strong flight, 

 frequently flying at some considerable height above the ground. The two blotched 

 or streaked eggs are laid in England upon bare stony ground, with which their 

 coloration harmonises so exactly as to render them practically invisible ; but in 

 India, where the number is occasionally three, the hollow is lined with a little grass. 

 Both sexes take part in incubation ; and if a sitting bird be disturbed, it will 

 immediately run ofl", leaving the eggs to be protected by their resemblance to the 

 surroundings. After running a short distance, the bird itself will generally lie 



