THE STILT-WALKERS. 15 



our warren and fallow lands during the breeding season, which commences about the second week in 

 April, the female depositing her pair of eggs upon the bare ground, without any nest whatever ; it is 

 generally supposed that the males take no part in the labour of incubation ; this I suspect is not the 

 case. Wishing to procure for a friend a few specimens in- their breeding plumage, I employed a boy 

 to take them for me, this he did by ensnaring them on the nest, and the result was that all he caught 

 during the day proved upon dissection to- be males. They assemble in flocks previous to their 

 departure, which is usually by the end of October ; but should the weather continue open, a few will 

 remain to a much later period. I started one as late as the 9th December, in the autumn of 1834. 

 Montague records an instance of this bird being killed in Devonshire as early as February in 1807." 



The Stone Curlew is singularly shy and cautious in. avoiding observers, and should it be disturbed, 

 at once seeks shelter by crouching to the ground ; if still followed, it endeavours to escape by running, 

 and is rarely forced to have recourse to its wings. Its flight is gentle and easy, but seldom long 

 sustained. During the day it usually remains quiet, and in South Africa conceals itself from the 

 presence of man almost after the manner of an Owl. No sooner, however, has night set in, than it 

 appears in quite a new character, darting lightly about on rapid wing in search of food and water, or 

 running swiftly over the surface of the ground. It is not uncommon for a pair of these birds to wander, 

 for miles in search of a drinking-place, returning before morning to their usual haunts. Whilst thus 

 actively employed, their clear resonant call of " cur-lui " is constantly heard. Frogs, lizards, mice, 

 and occasionally eggs and small birds form their principal food ; field-mice they catch after the manner 

 of a cat, and crunch the tones previous to swallowing their prey ; insects they also kill before 

 consuming them ; grains of sand and pebbles are employed to assist the process of digestion. At 

 the commencement of spring, battles between the males frequently occur in order to obtain a desired 

 female. The eggs, from two to three in number, are deposited about April in a slight hollow in the 

 sand, these are about the size of Hens' eggs and of the same shape, with a pale yellowish shell,, 

 spotted and streaked with deep yellow and blackish brown. The female broods and hatches her 

 family in about sixteen days ; during this time she is carefully guarded by her watchful mate. As 

 soon as the young quit the nest, they follow their parent and receive instruction in the art of 

 obtaining food : should danger be at hand, a cry warns them to seek shelter, and they at once 

 conceal themselves by lying close to the ground. The Thick-knee exhibits considerable courage 

 when protecting its family, and has been seen to defend its nest with vigour against the approach 

 of sheep or dogs. One of these birds, kept by Brehm the elder, became extraordinarily tame and 

 ran freely about the house, testifying the utmost attachment to his master, eating from his hand, and. 

 allowing himself to be caressed at pleasure. 



The PLOVERS {Charadrii) constitute a family of short-necked, large-headed birds, of'small size,, 

 with moderately long, slender, but thick-jointed legs, three-toed feet, the hinder toe being either 

 entirely wanting or but slightly developed and much raised. The wings are pointed and slender, with the 

 first or second quill longer than the rest, and the secondaries prolonged. The short tail is composed 

 of twelve feathers, and slightly roundedat its extremity. The beak, which is rarely more than half as 

 long as the head, is soft at its base and hard on the raised portion at its extremity. The thick 

 compact plumage varies in the sexes, and according to the season of the year. The Plovers are 

 met with in every quarter of the globe, and while some occupy the interior of the country, 

 frequenting its plains and open grounds, others prefer the vicinity of the sea, or the margins of 

 lakes and rivers, obtaining their food principally from the water; others, again, select desert tracts, 

 marshes, or mountainous districts. During the breeding season all live in pairs, but near together; 

 subsequently they collect together into large parties, which gradually increase in size as the season 



