14 BRITISH BIRDS. [VOL. XI. 
On hill 7 the southern slopes were thoroughly beaten out 
without seeing anything of the Dotterels. On the northern 
slope, however, a Dotterel was observed. It was uttering 
the note “ Whit-whit-whit,’ and eventually flew on to the 
southern slope, where it was joined by two more birds, and 
then hy a fourth, the latter disappearing again, leaving the 
three, which ran and flew about at random. This took place 
between 3.30 and 5 p.m., so that in any case the birds were 
probably only feeding. On the northern spur of this hill a 
pair of Dotterels flew past and disappeared over the crest of 
the hill about 6.15 p.m., after the whole of the western slope 
had been thoroughly searched, containing much excellent 
ground for the birds, and the summit had nearly been 
reached. They did not re-appear on this day. 
The following morning hill No. 7 was revisited and a nest 
was found containing a clutch of three eggs on the point of 
hatching. The nest was situated on comparatively low 
ground some two hundred yards from the head of the burn 
which divides hills Nos. 6 and 7. On emerging from the 
shelter of the head of the gorge we observed a Dotterel 
running away with one wing drooping. On our halting and 
sitting down this bird returned and settled on its eggs within 
two minutes. The nest was built on a slight hummock 
covered with lichen and some dry moss, but no bilberry was 
growing immediately around, yet the nest, which was well 
constructed, contained the lining of bilberry leaves which 
had evidently been placed there intentionally. While the 
nest was being examined the bird disported itself near by, 
feigning broken wings, uttering small squeaks, and fanning 
out its tail. Only the one bird appeared. 
Failing to locate any Dotterel on the western slope, the 
northern spur was revisited, and a pair of birds were observed 
about 3 p.m. feeding on the summit. They were very tame 
and, except for one bird uttering a few warning notes at first, 
they were silent, and allowed an easy approach to within 
twenty yards. It was afterwards ascertained that a gillie 
on this estate had found the nest and eggs a fortnight before, 
so that judging from the behaviour of the birds, and the fact 
that they were together on two successive days, they probably 
now had young. About 6 p.m. hill No. 6 was revisited and 
a pair of birds were observed feeding together. They were 
quite tame and permitted an easy approach to very close 
quarters. At the same time a male was heard calling on the 
top of hill No. 5. 
