HABITS OF THE QBE AT PLOVER. 179 



Flycatchers, though with less graceful movements. Often, too, 

 whilst flying — fairly high — from one part of the plateau to 

 another, they would deflect their course in order to catch an 

 insect or two en passant. I observed this latter action first, and 

 doubted the motive, though it was strongly suggested. After 

 seeing the quite unmistakable Flycatcher actions, I felt more 

 assured as to the other. 



The very great diminution in the waving of the wings to-day 

 as compared to yesterday, whilst engaged in the same pursuit, I 

 do not know how to account for. It may perhaps suggest that 

 this is more due to excitement connected with each other's 

 presence (social) than to any other cause. If so, the birds were 

 not so socially excited to-day as yesterday, and this may possibly 

 be due to the fact that their numbers were not nearly so great — 

 hardly, I should think, amounting to half. Though I was not 

 able to make out with the glasses any insect actually the object 

 of pursuit, I did see two small moths flying low over the grass — 

 just as required to explain the birds' actions. I believe, how- 

 ever, that the staple of their food was minute flies or gnats. 



As it grew towards twilight — after the Starlings had gone — 

 large quantities of Swallows and Martins took possession of the 

 air round about. Whether they had come wholly or chiefly or 

 partly for the insects I do not know. 



I frightened several birds this time, and as the twilight closed 

 in not many were left. Lying just within the edge of the bracken 

 birds in ones or twos would often walk past me within twelve 

 paces (as I judged), presenting of course a splendid view. A 

 sudden bob forward of the head in a very swingy manner, the tail 

 at the same time swinging up (very suggestive of a wooden bird 

 that performs the same actions upon one's pulling a string) is a 

 characteristic action, and seems to have no special reference to 

 anything — unless deportment. 



Left about 7.15. 



September Sth. — Arrived somewhere between 5.30 and 6 p.m. 

 Though as cautious as I could be, and keeping well behind the 

 bracken (always lying flat), yet several birds took alarm and flew 

 off, though not to any great distance. Including these I counted 

 forty-one standing scattered about the amphitheatre. They were 

 all of them particularly dull and listless, hardly moving from 



