7 « 
little steps, usually close to the margin of the sea, ostentatiously 
showing off with an overdone air of innocence as though the last 
thing it thought of was nesting. However, in early May, a very 
careful search in the neighbourhood where the birds are seen will 
reveal one of the most wonderful instances of nature's protective 
power. On the shingle, in a slight indentation often lined with small 
particles of shell may be found the four pear-shaped eggs. In 
ground colour bright clay, spotted with black, and so exactly 
resembling the shingle on which they rest that even to remove one's 
eye for a moment renders it difficult immediately to re locate them. 
The photograph gives an instance of how bard these eggs are to 
find, and when the knowledge is given that the eggs are present 
on this small photograph, this is contrasted with a search along a 
mile of sea shore it will be evident how well nature cares for her own. 
Redstart. — This bird is a summer migrant, arriving on our shores 
usually in the earlier part of April. The males precede the females 
by a few days, and it is at this period that this species is most 
usually to be observed, as later, after pairing, they become shyer, 
and are then much less in evidence. The male is a very handsome 
bird, above slatey grey, the forehead pure white, the throat black, 
while the under parts are a rich orange chestnut. The tail coverts 
are also of this chestnut colour approaching to red, and this, com- 
bined with the quaint lateral movement of the tail, h.is given the 
bird its popular name of Fire Tail. The length of the Redstart is 
between five and six inches. 
The Redstart is widely distributed though in no district very 
numerous. It haunts the old walls surrounding woodlands and 
quiet country roadways. Its food consists mostly of insects, many 
of which it captures after the manner of a flycatcher. In autumn 
this species varies this diet with seeds and fruits. 
The nest of the Redstart is always placed in concealment and is 
sometimes very difficult to find ; holes in old walls are favourite 
sites, while cavities in old trees and similar situations are frequently 
resorted to. The eggs are five, six, and sometimes seven in number; 
the colour resembles that of the egg of the Hedge Accentor, but is 
sli|;htly paler ; while the egg is rather smaller in size, more of a 
pointed oval and with a greater polish on the surface. 
Ring-Dove. — The Ring Dove, Wood-Pigeon, or as it is known in 
Scotland, Cushat-Doo is a large and handsome bird. It is resident 
and now breeds freely in almost every locality, rearing several broods 
each season, as do most of the genus. At one time it was not so 
numerous in Scotland, but of late years the Ring-Dove has increased 
in numbers till in certain counties its depredations have become a 
source of serious menace to the farmer. In Berwickshire some years 
ago a systematic raid was made upon these birds, resulting in the 
destruction of something over 100,000 in one month. As their chief 
food consists of peas, seeds, and grain, there is little doubt that when 
their numbers become excessive the agriculturalist suffers, even 
though it is taken into consideration that they also consume the 
seeds of noxious weeds. 
In autumn the favourite food of the Cushet-Doo is the beech mast 
on which they feed to repletion, and good sport may be obtained by 
hiding up in the vicinity of a beech wood at this season of the year. 
Tbe length of the Ring-Dove is some 16 inches, its colour is slaty 
blue, washed with a vinous tinge, and neck and breast possess the 
rich metallic lustre common to the Dove tribe. On either side of the 
neck is a large spot of white feathers, from which it derives its name 
of Ring. Dove. The bill and feet are of a bright coraal red. 
