ORNITHOLOGY OF THE BRITISH POLAR EXPEDITION. 205 
contained four eggs, which were unfortunately broken while I 
was swimming a torrent that intervened between Blase Dalen 
and Godhavn. The eggs, which were nearly hatched, were some- 
what similar to those of the Ringed Plover, AZgialitis hiaticula, 
but smaller, rounder, and with bolder markings. A weak, low, 
plaintive whistle was the only note I heard the bird utter. 
Knot, Tringa canutus.—On the 4th August, 1875, I saw half 
a dozen Knots in Hayes Sound, lat. 78° 56’, and on the 25th, 
several were feeding along the shore, in company with Turn- 
stones, in Discovery Bay. In the following year the first Knot 
I saw was upon the 3lst May; after that they became frequent. 
On their first arrival, and until absorbed in their breeding duties, 
they were very wary, often feeding far inland by the loneliest 
swamps and pools. A pair of Knots which had evidently selected 
a breeding-place, upon finding they were watched, deserted the 
site entirely. When courting, Knots play with one another upon 
the wing, and upon the ground, in a most entertaining manner, 
pursuing, avoiding, and encouraging one another; while the 
clear, sweet flute-like whistle of the male is frequently heard. 
Later in the year, July 11th and 12th, when the young ones were 
just hatched, I was much interested in watching the parents 
carrying on the same manceuvres as the Lapwing to decoy the 
intruder from the young; running along the ground with 
outspread wings, feigning lameness, and taking short flights to 
re-alight suddenly close to one’s feet. In spite of most pains- 
taking search and the offer of liberal rewards, all efforts to obtain 
the eggs of the Knot were unsuccessful. Upon the 11th July a 
brood of four, disturbed from the nest, were captured and 
brought on board alive. The nest was placed under a large flat 
stone, resting on two others which formed a sort of gangway ; 
it was merely of leaves and dry grass, loosely laid together on the 
earth by the edge of a stream; I could find no trace of the 
egg-shells. Upon the following day three more young were 
caught; these were apparently a couple of days out of the shell, 
grotesque little things, very lively and active, with large dark 
eyes, the body very small, and the wing-pinions just showing. 
Their feet were almost as large as those of the full-grown bird, 
and they were able to run at a marvellous rate. Both the young 
broods were found three or more miles inland, and in each case 
close to a stream. Of a number of Knots’ stomachs examined, 
