OF THE BRITISH ISLANDS. 281 



They are laid towards the end of June, or early in July. Incuba- 

 tion appears to be performed by the female, and only one brood 

 is reared in the year. The female alone appears to frequent the 

 nest, and when this is approached she makes little demonstration 

 and is remarkably quiet. Messrs. Seebohm and Harvie-Brown state 

 that the lameness of the hen bird was sometimes most extraordinary. 

 The former gentleman states that at one nest the female ap- 

 proached within eighteen inches of his hand as he sat beside the 

 eggs, and when his hand was stretched towards her she quietly 

 retreated a couple of feet ; but the moment he left the vicinity of 

 her home she changed her tactics at once, and began fluttering 

 along the ground with quivering wings and outspread tail as if 

 dying. After having a glove thrown at her and being fired at, she 

 concluded that men were not to be trusted, and she finally flew 

 away. It is sad to read that after all she returned, faithful to her 

 beloved eggs, and fell a martyr to science ! 



Diagnostic Characters. — Tringa, with the wing under 

 4 inches in length, the bill broadest at the base, and the legs 

 and feet black. Length, 6 inches. 



