82 



THE CONDOR 



Vol. XIX 



sisted of four eggs. The three eggs referred to above were fresh, and the set 

 probably incomplete. 



In those pairs which I have observed the male bird Avas found covering the 

 eggs more often than the female, so I believe that it is safe to say that the male 

 does at least half of the incubating. The birds are very nervous and extremely 

 wary when once they have been flushed from the nest. They usually "sit tight" 

 the first time, however, and do not flush unless nearly stepped upon. 



On June 25 a male bird was flushed from a nest at a distance of less than six 

 feet. I had been told the general location of the nest, hence was carefully exam- 

 ining the tundra as I walked slowly along, yet I was unable to see the bird, flat- 

 tened out as he was, and doubtless would have passed directly over him had he 

 not darted from under my feet. Desiring a photograph of the brooding bird I 

 set up the camera a few inches off the ground, and four feet from the nest, cov- 

 ering it completely with brown tundra moss. I then hid in a slight depression 



Fig. 29. Nest of Baikd Sandpiper ox dry tuxdra near Griffin Point, Arctic Alaska, 

 July 11, 1914. 



about thirty yards away, and awaited the return of the bird. 



Instead of returning directly to the nest the bird first flew about in wide 

 circles. Then, having satisfied himself that no active danger threatened, he lit 

 about twenty yards away and began to run in circles about the nest, gradually 

 approaching nearer and nearer. He stopped every few yards, and remaining mo- 

 tionless, blended into the landscape so effectively that I was quite unable to dis- 

 tinguish him unless I had had my eyes directly upon him when he stopped. Dur- 

 ing these stationary periods a low whining bark was heard, of which he appeared 

 to be the author, for the sound always came from where the bird stood, and moved 

 about as he moved. No other bird put in an appearance. The male finally went 

 onto the nest, but bolted wildly at the click of the shutter. He would not return 

 at all after being flashed a second time. 



On July 11 another nest was located, on a barren ridge close to a large snow 



