SPUE-WINGED PLOVER. 
“ I once witnessed, an interesting scene in the Plover world which reminded 
me of the dances of the Lapwing about which I have read. Several Plovers 
were evidently choosing their mates for the coming season. The flock con- 
sisted of twenty or so and the greater number of these were arranged in a part 
circle, or rather a semi-circle. Across the space from one side to another 
danced (I cannot say hopped or walked) three pairs of Spur-wing Plovers. 
They would meet in the centre turn completely round to one another, then 
almost bow and retreat to the lines again. This was repeated several times, 
the birds on the half circle (which were apparently older couples) keeping 
up a peculiar noise a little different from their usual cry. Then the flock 
would rise, settle a little way off and repeat the performance. After doing 
this several times they all rose and settled further down nearer the lagoon 
and began feeding. 
“ They nest very early, as the dates shown below will prove, and my 
observations tend to show two clutches are reared in the season. When they 
have the little ones about with them they fly in circles above the intruder, and 
their call has a different note in it to their ordinary screeching. When the 
intruder moves somewhat away, another call is used which is apparently for 
collecting the young together again as these latter will occasionally be heard 
emitting a tiny squeak. I have often come across the clutches of little 
ones, and difficult it is to detect them when they are in down and crouched 
on the ground. 
End of July, 
30/10/1908. 
10/ 8/1909. 
11/ 8/1909. 
15/ 8/1910. 
18/ 8/1910. 
27/ 8/1910. 
27 / 8/1909. 
2/ 9/1909. 
5/ 9/1910. 
10 / 9/1909. 
10/10/1909. 
25/10/1909. 
15/10/1910. 
30/10/1908. 
13/12/1910. 
1901. Nest with three eggs. 
Set of four. Bird had been sitting about three days. 
Nest with four eggs. 
Some destroyed by crows. 
Nest of four eggs trodden on by sheep. 
Nest of ditto chipping. 
Spur-wing with young. 
Nest of same with four eggs heavily incubated. 
Another nest with four eggs chipping. 
Spur-wing sitting on eggs. 
Spur-wing with two young. 
Four young in down about two days old. 
Young almost fully feathered, a little down adhering to under parts; 
wattles showing. (This one ate garden worms.) 
Spur-wing nest from which young had hatched. Nest was a slight 
hollow close to tussock. Had a few tiny reeds and a little sheep 
manure round it. These birds are fond of placing their nests near 
this manure. Occasionally they put a little of the manure in the 
nest or along the edge. 
Set of four eggs. Bird had been setting about three days. 
Four Spur-wings, very j^oung, found crouching in short grass.” 
VOL. m. 
49 
