210 
SCOLOPACIDyE. 
occasionally on some of the few sandy beaches, such as that of 
Balta, or Basta A"oe. They must certainly undergo a partial 
migration in autumn, otherwise even the young birds of one 
single season would be as swarms upon the shores in the winter 
time. 
The breeding haunts of the Dunlin are precisely similar' to 
those of the common Snipe ; the same situations are also chosen 
for the nest, and, of course vdth the exception of their inferior 
size, both nest and eggs closely resemble those of that bird. 
It does not however breed so late, the last eggs usually being- 
seen about the beginning of J uly, and the earliest in the middle 
of ]\Iay. Sometimes, but not often, the nest is found upon the 
tops of the highest hills ; those only a few hundred feet above 
the sea-level are preferred. The vicinity of water in some form 
seems to be necessary; and although it sometimes happens that 
there is none within perhaps a quarter of a mile of the nest, the 
bed of a recently dried up pool or stream wiU always be found 
near. AMien a Dunlin is nearly hatching and is suddenly dis- 
turbed, she flies off the nest, and alighting almost immediately, 
runs trailing the wings, and uttering a peculiar shrill cry. When 
the danger appears to be over, she returns by running until 
within about twenty yards of the nest, and then, after pausing 
awhile, and looking round upon all sides, flies the remaining 
distance. In the breeding season these birds have a singular 
habit of hovering at a considerable height — perhaps ten or 
fifteen feet — above the ground, at the same time quivering the 
wings and uttering a sort of shrill but gentle warbling sound. 
The young are beautifully mottled with cream colour and 
various shades of rich reddish brown. They run from the 
nest very soon after they are hatched, and are always accom- 
jjanied by both ])arents, who now show but little fear of danger, 
running round an intruder as if for the purpose of leading him 
away, but never, so far as I have observed, feigning lameness 
under these circumstances. 
It has so happened that, beyond the few which I required for 
specimens, I have scarcely ever shot the Dunlin in Shetland, 
