12 THE OENITHOLOGIST. 



we coine across a nest containing the objects of our search, 

 and now we are surprised we did not find it at once, so con- 

 spicuous does it look when we know where it is ; but, as an 

 experiment, let us walk away without marking the surround- 

 ings, and then try to find it again. It is soon clear that we 

 were mistaken, for another careful search is necessary before 

 we re-find it, so closely do the eggs assimilate to their sur- 

 roundings. If we continue our walk until the tide is quite out 

 we may notice pairs of Oyster-catchers feeding amongst the 

 rocks and stones exposed at low water, or perhaps a flock of 

 forty or fifty may fly past us to some favourite mussel bed, for 

 at feeding time the species is gregarious. If we wish to find 

 a nest now our search must be a close one, and any signs of 

 scratching or footprints must be carefully examined. At 

 length we come across a second nest, and as we stoop to 

 examine the eggs we are startled by a loud, clear " Kleep, 

 kleep, kleep," rapidly and clamorously uttered, as the parent 

 birds come flying around trying to lure us from their treasures 

 after the manner of Lapwings. As we retire we observe first 

 one and then the other skims over the nest to satisfy itself 

 that the contents are safe, but they soon return and escort us 

 until we are at a safe distance away, no doubt congratulating 

 themselves that their artifices have quite deceived us. Perhaps 

 further on we may unconsciously walk near a brood of young 

 which are squatting amongst the surrounding stones. Here 

 the anxiety of the parents is redoubled, and they boldly settle 

 on the sand and run for a few yards just in front of us before 

 taking wing again, but all the time trying to lure us from the 

 spot. The downy young resemble more those of the Lapwing 

 than any other British species, and they soon learn to pipe 

 loudly in response to their parents, when taken in the hand. 

 In such a walk perhaps four or five nests may be discovered in 

 a few hours. Only once have I surprised an Oyster-catcher on 

 her nest ; this I accomplished by peeping round the buttress 

 of a huge sand-hill just as she slipped off in response to the 

 warning note of her mate on the beach below ; on another 

 occasion I noticed three nests, on which the female was quietly 

 brooding, as I passed near the beach in a railway train ; after- 

 wards visiting the spot and examining the eggs. 



