276 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



did not seem to me either that the Hawk was much in earnest or 

 the Plover much alarmed ; nor could I observe that the birds 

 generally seemed particularly scared or excited. Reflecting now, 

 however, that my attention was first called to it by a peculiar cry 

 on the part of the Plover, which I had not heard before, and that 

 the frequent utterance of this cry by the birds generally, their 

 restlessness, frequent risings, circlings about, and flights back- 

 wards and forwards from one place to another, all took place sub- 

 sequent to the chase ; and then, contrasting this conduct with 

 their behaviour next morning (not rising again after they had 

 once gone down), I am inclined to think that the one may be 

 explained by their alarm at the Hawk, and the other represent 

 their usual habits. 



September 23rd. — Must have got to the bank (same place as 

 yesterday) about six. Sun just rising. Fine day. A fair 

 amount of wind, but nothing compared to yesterday. Calm and 

 still in comparison. Some birds in heather as before. Cannot 

 tell how many, or whether any have flown up. After sitting and 

 waiting a long time my attention was attracted by some cries of 

 Herons in neighbouring copse, and I crept up the bank and 

 listened, with the intention, if the Plovers should not come soon, 

 of walking over and trying to get close enough for observation. 

 At this moment, and whilst looking in opposite direction, a small 

 flock of Plovers flew over me, and came down amongst those 

 already in the heather. There were seventeen, and they flew quite 

 silently. Vexed to have missed them again, I re-descended the 

 bank, and had not been settled in position many minutes when a 

 large number (evidently the main body) rose in a cloud into the 

 air (as it seemed to me directly over the amphitheatre), and after 

 circling a little, shining in the sun (their light under surface 

 looking a beautiful soft silver), came straight down in my direc- 

 tion. I concealed myself well amongst the bracken. They 

 passed as before, but, as I had a little shifted my position, not 

 so directly over me. They flew silently — I did not hear a single 

 cry — and as soon as the last had passed me I crawled again to 

 the edge of the bank, and was in time to see most of them come 

 down in the heather amongst the others — a very pleasing sight. 

 They alight with wings raised above the back, and little stilt-legs 

 stretched down, slanting a little forward, and on touching the 





