Sept., 1918 



NOTES ON THE NESTING OF THE MOUNTAIN PLOVER 



161 



of range and finally took wing, an unusual occurrence under the circumstances. 

 Nor did she return while we were photographing the nest and collecting the 

 eggs, or during the considerable time we afterwards spent there. These eggs 

 were the farthest advanced in incubation of any taken, being nearly ready to 

 hatch. 



In the case of the only perfectly fresh set of eggs taken, the parent, as 

 stated, was very solicitous; in the half incubated set the bird exhibited extreme 

 anxiety and aggressiveness; whereas, with the set about ready to hatch the 

 parent cared for nothing but a quick escape. None of the others evidenced 



Fig. 29. Four different poses of the Mountain Plover as she approached her nest, 



WATCHING THE PHOTOGRAPHER INTENTLY ALL THE WHILE. 



more than casual, if any, interest in our proceedings. All of which rather 

 "balls up" the theory I held, that the nearer the completion of incubation the 

 more solicitous the parent. All eggs were comparatively fresh except one set 

 taken on May 20, 1917, and the two sets taken, as stated, this year, and there 

 was usually but one bird present. I have had no opportunity to study the par- 

 ents with their young. 



The fact that this many sets of Mountain Plover eggs were taken within 

 die comparatively small area of probably one-half by one and one-half miles, 

 together with my failure to note them on many other collecting trips on the 



