GOLDEN rLOVEJi. 
159 
]\Iacgillivray pleasingly and faithfully describes the habit of 
this interesting bird where he says, — “ When searching for 
food in the pasture-grounds, the Idovers run about in a 
lively manner, pick up an object, — a worm, an insect, or a small 
helix , — then perhaps stand still and look around for a moment 
and continue their occupation. If disturbed, they cease their 
pursuit, stand with erected neck, and gaze upon the intruder. 
One here and there stretches out his wings in a perpendicular 
direction, another utters a loud mellow scream, when suddeidy 
all hy up and wheel awjxy, often rising to a great height, and 
performing various evolutions before they alight again. Their 
flight is beautiful, being performed by regularly-timed beats, 
the birds sometimes moving in a loose or a dense body, some- 
times in a straight or angular or undulated line.” — f ‘ Brit. 
Birds,” vol. iv., p. 101.) 
The Golden Plover breeds abundantly in every part of 
Shetland, even on the small outlying holms. The breeding 
plumage begins to appear in January, but some weeks before it 
is completed — about the middle of March — the birds pair, the 
males becoming very noisy and flying to a considerable height. 
It is by no means unusual to meet with flocks long after pairs 
have betaken themselves to their summer haunts, a circum- 
stance which may possibly be accounted for by the supposition 
that young birds breed latest ; but, in point of fact, eggs may 
be found in a fresh state from the end of April even to the 
beginning of July. The nest is to be met with in almost every 
situation where heather occurs, even upon the highest tops of 
the hills, but sunny slopes facing the south or south-west are 
preferred. I have found more in slight hollows or miniature 
valleys than elsewhere ; but since in such instances the nest 
has been betrayed mostly by the bird flying off the eggs, it is 
probable that my success has been due to the ease with which, 
in these places, an approach can be made unperceived. The 
Golden Plover is by no means a close sitter, often flying or 
running from the nest when an intruder is fully a hundred 
yards distant. Owing to the shyness of the birds, and to the 
