118 FAMILIAR WILL BIRDS. 



Yorkshire, Lancashire, Westmoreland, Northumberland, 

 and various parts of Scotland. The Southdowns of 

 Sussex are also favourite resorts of the Dotterel, and upon 

 certain hills lying between Lewes and Brighton flocks of 

 these birds may be met with every year with almost unfail- 

 ing regularity. As feeding-places it loves the high grounds, 

 downs, and moors, and is most commonly met with on the 

 fallow land and newly-ploughed fields that fringe the higher 

 parts of the downs and elevated portions of the country. 

 The food consists of worms, grubs, slugs, and insects. 



When the birds arrive at the more northerly 

 localities above mentioned they usually frequent the 

 fallows and heaths for about a week, and then seek the 

 moss-covered mountains, which they select as breeding 

 places ; and they seem to favour those particular localities 

 which are frequently obscured by the drenching rain and 

 mists. During incubation the Dotterel is generally to be 

 found in company with others of the same species, several 

 pairs appearing to live together in perfect harmony. The 

 nest is nothing more than a hole in the ground covered 

 with vegetation, and generally near some stone or rock. 

 Three eggs are commonly laid ; they are of a yellowish- 

 olive colour, with spots and markings of dark brownish- 

 black, and about an inch and three-quarters in length. 



During the breeding season the Dotterel is much more 

 wary and timid than at any other time, its ordinary 

 characteristic being what may be called downright stu- 

 pidity. So indifferent are these birds to danger, that when 

 one of their number has been shot the remainder of the 

 flock will fly only a little distance, and soon return to their 

 original feeding- place, even though the sportsman, gun in 

 hand, is waiting to further reduce their numbers. An 



