INTKODTJCIION. XV 



the Redshanks were flying in greater nnnibers than I had ever 

 seen on any former occasion. Several pairs kept flying around 

 above our heads uttering their wild, plaintive cry, or triple-noted 

 whistle. Erom this it was evident that either their young or 

 their eggs were not far ofE. And sure enough we had not pro- 

 ceeded many steps before we came upon a nest with four eggs : 

 they were much incubated, and, being quite cold, were undoubt- 

 edly forsaken. "We were now joined by Mr. B,eay's brother 

 (Joseph) who, just before he reached us, had picked up a young 

 Eedshank, considerably grown. "We then strolled through the 

 heather and soon found a Curlew's nest, with its full complement 

 of eggs : these were also considerably incubated. We continued 

 our ramble on the heather, when about three o'clock our dogs, 

 a retriever and a setter, raised a biixl about fifty yards in advance 

 of us, which at once rose to a considerable height coursing about, 

 rising and sinking somewhat in the manner of the Snipe, and 

 like it, while sweeping downwards with outstretched tremulous 

 wings, produced a peculiar di-umming noise, but one much shril- 

 ler than that of the Snipe, and almost amounting to a sort of 

 musical whistle. From the strangeness of its actions and pe- 

 culiar whistling or di'umming noise, I was convinced that we 

 had met with a rare bird, and that its nest was near at hand. 

 I observed to my companions that it was either a "Wood- or a 

 Green- Sandpiper, and that we must have its nest before we left 

 the Car. I had just uttered these words when one of the dogs 

 rushed forward and pushed its nose into the heather. Mr. Reay 

 advanced, and, on examining the spot, said, "Here's the nest with 

 four eggs, but they are all smashed excepting one." A moment, 

 however, sufficed to prove that the nest was that of a Snipe, 

 though there was at first some difference of opinion expressed as 

 to this. Nevertheless, I was quite satisfied that the nest of the 

 strange bird was yet to be found. The dogs were now leashed. 

 The birds were still ia view flying about : our only chance now 

 was to watch the bird to its nest. With a view to this I con- 

 cealed myself amidst the heather, while my conipanions left the 

 spot. It was not long before one of the birds '^ pitched," and, 

 after allowing a little time for it to settle, I went forth to raise 



