103 [Vol. xix. 



of these birds for many years without their showing any 

 signs of nestings till in the spring of 1902 he noticed that 

 the birds were making a nest. 



This nest consisted of a small depression formed by 

 the birds themselves in the soil. It was constructed in a 

 gravel walk in the aviary^ near a tuft of grass. The nest 

 was lined with a few dry grasses, but so few that they suggested 

 rather an ornament than a lining, the bottom of the nest 

 being formed by the stones of the gravel. 



The birds were at this time very noisy when undisturbed, 

 and the male, which at ordinary times was scarcely to be 

 distinguished from the female, was now conspicuous by the 

 intenser red and greater development of the bare frontal skin, 

 which is common to both sexes. 



After some days two eggs were laid and incubation com- 

 menced. The eggs much resembled those of the European 

 Lapwing, but were of a browner colour and very large in 

 comparison with the size of the birds. 



After about 28 days of incubation, on the 23rd of May, 

 both the eggs hatched. iDuring the first day the young 

 remained in the nest, both the parents in turn covering them. 

 On the second day they began to run about, returning 

 occasionally to the nest during the day and also during 

 the night. 



If one came near the aviary the old birds would run away 

 and the chicks would hide under a tuft of grass, keeping 

 quite motionless. If one persisted in remaining near the 

 young birds the male would come back to the intruder 

 uttering loud cries, and finally try to get him away by 

 feigning to be wounded and unable to fly or walk. When 

 five days old the chicks ran about with the parents, imitating 

 their eccentric movements in every way. If one came near 

 them they would still hide in the grass and keep motionless. 



When ten days old they began to run away if one came 

 near, only hiding when they saw that they were noticed. 

 They were now about the size of a Wagtail without a tail, 

 but with longer and much stouter legs. No feathers were 



