ioo Among the Birds in Northern Shires. 



charm and interest. We know of few, if any, birds 

 more trustful and tame. When their breeding-place 

 is approached the pretty little birds either run or fly 

 to the neighbouring pool and there swim about in 

 the most unsuspicious and confiding manner, utterly 

 regardless of danger. They make their slight nests 

 on the banks of the water, and lay four very pretty 

 eggs, olive or buff in ground colour, heavily marked 

 with dark brown, paler brown, and gray. Here again 

 we have another instance in which the hen Phalarope 

 is more brilliant in colour than the cock bird, and not 

 only takes the initiative in courtship, but leaves the 

 care of the eggs and young chiefly to him. Possibly 

 the females of these birds and Dotterels hold strongly 

 advanced views on the question of sex and its rights 

 and privileges; anyway, they must be ranked amongst 

 the very few female creatures that have partially suc- 

 ceeded in emancipating themselves from the ordinary 

 duties of their sex. Perhaps in the remote future the 

 principle will universally apply to civilized man him- 

 self, for there are not wanting signs of this sexual 

 evolution towards such emancipation. 



We will bring the present chapter to a close with a 

 brief notice of the bird-life to be met with on the sea- 

 lochs. Many a charming essay on ornithology is 

 reflected in their clear waters; many a page from 

 the story of our native birds is graven along their 

 rocky shores. We have had the good fortune to 



