156 BIRDS OF RUSSIAN LAPLAND 



wasted before I took the photograph, reproduced in Plate 60. Rain 

 and mosquitoes added considerably to my troubles, and much patience 

 was necessary. The nest was placed on a hummock of green moss, 

 and was of a deep saucer-shape, deeper than a Whimbrel's. It was 

 lined with lichen and dried moss. Although not shown in the photo- 

 graph, a little scrub gave the sitting bird partial shelter. The legs 

 of the young birds were a wigeon-grey colour, and those of the old 

 birds nearly black. Neither of the old birds had any incubation 

 spots. 



On our return to the station at night a telegraph official, passing 

 through to Kandalax, immediately recognised the bird, gave its 

 Russian name, and said it was found in dry marshes. No other 

 native knew it, all called it a Whimbrel. 



And this was all we saw of the Bar-tailed Godwit at Raz- 

 Navolok ! 



June 2^th. — Having found only one pair of Godwits, we asked 

 for more marshes, and were taken to some beyond those visited 

 yesterday. These did not hold nearly so many birds. The only 

 prize secured was a male Spotted Redshank with his three young in 

 down. The old bird was calling, and evidently very anxious, in a 

 marsh at the end of a lake, so we promptly shot him, as it is quite 

 useless to try and find the young while the old bird is crying round. 

 Even when only hatched a few hours, the young of all Waders appear 

 to scatter at the first note of alarm, and then squat absolutely still 

 until they receive further orders. These tactics much reduce the 

 chances of an enemy securing all four. I am convinced by many 

 hours of watching that the old bird is to some extent able to direct 

 their subsequent movements. When danger is imminent they are 

 told to remain still, but as soon as it appears to have passed a little, 

 they are led to a safer spot ; and they creep through the slightest 

 cover like a mouse, taking advantage of every inequality of the 

 surface. But if the old bird be removed and you sit still, the young 

 get up after a time and call for the lost parent, using far less caution. 



