96 GRALL.E. 



in the incubation, or the eggs are carefully covered with 

 feathers, dry leaves, or some other imperfect conductor of 

 heat, when the sitting bird leaves the nest. 



The feeding time of the thick-knees is in the morning and 

 the evening, especially in the former, as their prey is longer 

 out in the damp of the morning than in the evening. During 

 the heat of the day, they squat so closely that one may pass 

 very near to them on the stony wild without observing that 

 they are there. 



In autumn they assemble in flocks, and continue feeding 

 for a greater part of the day, probably because the darkness 

 lasts longer. At that season, they may, in the mornings, be 

 surprised nearer the margins of the fields than at other 

 times ; but even then it is difficult to get near them, unless 

 by surprise, and there is commonly one on the watch against 

 that. Towards mid-day, they are in the more open places, 

 and if the sun is very hot, they squat. They are noisy for 

 even the greater part of the night ; and if the weather is 

 clear, they roam about, and sometimes approach near the 

 houses on the margin of those large downs and moors where 

 they breed. 



If come upon by surprise, the call is given by the sentinel, 

 upon which they all elevate themselves to reconnoitre the 

 danger, and then run off, always towards the bleaker and 

 higher part of the pasture ; but if the distance to the height 

 is considerable, they will squat several times before that is 

 reached, but always rising and running as they are ap- 

 proached. If hard pressed, they take to the wing in any 

 situation ; and when followed to the top of the height, they 

 take a longer and higher flight to the next one. 



From their shy habits they are not easily shot, although 

 they present a good mark to the sportsman. The young are 

 relished as food, and even the old birds, though rather tough 

 and dry, are eaten. In all countries which they frequent, 



