218 



rivers that intersect the Plains of Canterbury. The Anarliynclms , be it understood, is not 

 confined to that locality ; in fact it is of frequent occurrence, and may be observed during 

 several months of the year at least, near the streams or back-waters of almost any of the rivers, 



which in their course disclose sandy spots and wide areas of shingle The 



breeding-season extends from September to December. At this season this Plover is less wary 

 than any of its congeners ; and its nesting-place would be discovered with very little difficulty, 

 were it not for the wonderful instinct it exhibits in selecting the ground for depositing its eggs. 



r 



They are simply laid, without any preparation, amongst the pebbles of some river-bed usually, and 

 never far from water ; and so well does their grey tint harmonize with the general colour of the 

 shingle around them, that their detection would be almost hopeless if the bird were less confident. 

 Its oval-shaped eggs are three in number, grey stone-colour, with the whole surface minutely 



dotted over with black specks On the nest being approached, the old bird trots 



slowly away, assuming a broader and somewhat flatter appearance, by slightly extending the 



wings, making at the same time a low purring sound The young, if undisturbed, remain 



for some time near the spot where they were hatched ; to escape observation they lie concealed 

 behind stones, 8cc. ; and should an attempt be made to molest them, they start off with consider- 

 able celerity, uttering at the same time a shrill piping cry of alarm. When hard pressed they 

 take to the water ; and I have known them to cross a stream of considerable volume. The parent 

 birds never appear to separate far from each other during the period of incubation ; on being 

 disturbed they exhibit the peculiar habit already described of partially extending the wings, the 

 head at the same time being carried very low, the bill just clearing the ground, whilst a low 

 purring sound is emitted. So tame does the Anarhjnchus become under the influence of parental 

 instinct that after eggs have been picked up, examined, and replaced on their unsheltered sandy 

 bed, I have seen the old bird immediately resume her duty of incubation, although I may have 

 removed but a few paces distant, and remained in sight for some time. The young birds are 

 covered with grey down, and appear to have legs of a length quite out of all proportion to the 

 size of the body. At this early stage the peculiar deflection of the bill, although slight, is per- 

 ceptible ; and it is always turned to the right or off side A consideration of the natural 



features of its favourite haunts permits us to indulge in surmises as to the convenience and adap- 

 tation of its remarkable form of beak for obtaining its food. Where we have seen this bird, it 

 has never been far from water ; and if, as I presume, the species is peculiar to this country, I can 

 point to our larger river-beds as affording' it admirable feeding-grounds. These rapid shallow 

 streams are perpetually wandering and shifting in their course, cutting new channels after every 

 freshet, whether occasioned by heavy rainfalls or by the melting of snow from the alpine crests of 

 the 'back country.' Any one acquainted with our ' plains' must have observed, here and there, 

 how certain parts (termed by geologists 'fans') are thickly covered with stones, as, for uistance, 

 some miles below the gorges of the Rakaia and Eangitata. Plowever unpromising or useless they 

 may appear to the inexperienced, the practical grazier is aware that these stones assist in keepmg 

 the ground cool and in retaining beneath them a certain amount of moisture, which during the 

 drier portion of the year (when the parching north-west winds prevail) thus invigorates the thirsty 

 rootlets of many valuable grasses ; and the result is the maintenance of a fair number of sheep on 



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