28 



BRITISH BIRDS. 



[vol. XV. 



eggs in that direction, returning once or twice to re-make the 

 hollow as soon as it was filled with sand. The position of the 

 last scrape was slightly uphill from the eggs, and a great deal 

 of trouble was experienced in removing them to it. In fact, 

 the bird gave up the attempt after only one of the eggs had 

 been rolled the whole way, and sat down to cover it, leaving 

 the three others scattered several inches away. 



During the removal of the eggs, I took several photographs, 

 but found considerable difficulty in keeping the bird in proper 



Fig. 2. Ringed Plover : The female covering one egg. 

 {Photographed by T. Leslie Smith.) 



focus, as he was continually altering his position. Except 

 for an occasional pause to listen, he entirely ignored the 

 click of the shutter and the slight noise made in changing 

 the slides. 



After covering the one egg for several minutes, the bird 

 while sitting suddenly uttered a call which sounded like 

 " Ko-eel, Ko-eel, Ko-eel," rapidly repeated — a very different 

 note from the alarm-call — and left the eggs. Almost im- 

 mediately the female appeared behind the nest but was 

 evidently more nervous than her mate, judging from her 



