PLATE XXV. 



It lays four eggs, of a dirty olive caft, fpeckled with black *, in a 

 flight neft compofed of bents, or on a bed of dried grafs, fcraped to- 

 gether on the ground ; the hen fits about three weeks ; the young as 

 foon as hatched run together like chickens. 



The old birds fhew a remarkable folicitude for their young, flying 

 with great anxiety about them if difturbed ; and ufing every ftratagem 

 to decoy the difturber from the neft ; feigning to flutter as if wounded 

 on the ground at a little diftance, or running along as if lame : fhould 

 thofe artifices prove ufelefs they become defperate, and will (trike at 

 the perfon or animal whom they cannot entice away. 



Towards winter both young and old affemble in flocks of four or 

 five hundered on the heaths or marfhy places, at which time they are 

 caught in nets for the ufe of the table in the fame manner that Ruffs 

 are. 



They are common in moft parts of Europe^ as far as Iceland \ 

 change place according to the feafon ; are met with in Perjia and 

 Egypt in winter, and Latham fays he has feen a fpecimen from China. 



They are efteemed a delicacy as their nourimment is only fiugs 

 and worms; thefe they draw out of the ground morning and 

 evening. They are fometimes kept in gardens, and by good treat- 

 ment become both ufeful and familiar. 



* Pennant obferves that " the eggs are held in great efteem for their delicacy; and 

 ' l are fold by the t&fidm Poulterers for three /hillings the dozen.'' 



PLATE 



