BLACK-BREASTED PLOVER. 
are very often laid on the level earth, the spotting acting as a protective 
coloration, and harmonizing with the surroundings. I have seen the birds in 
many localities.” 
Mr, E. J. Christian, of Northern Victoria, sends me the following ; “ Up 
here this bird is seen sometimes out in the middle of a plain where water is 
nowhere to be seen. They are extremely tame, and although splendid eating 
they are never shot. They are very active and when running generally keep 
up a curious note. I fear at the time of the year when foxes begin to come 
about, many of these graceful birds are destroyed ; they never seem to take 
any notice at all of dogs, unless nesting. Wlien we are riding or driving they 
will just walk, or rather ‘ quick march ’ out of our way. They look very 
martial, as they stand quite upright when they walk. In winter before 
nesting starts they assemble here in large flocks. When assembled like this 
they are very often accompanied by Gallinago australis. I have seen flocks 
of plover here numbering 200 birds. I have often ridden amongst them and 
then stood still in the centre of them. Bird after bird gets up and retires to a 
distance of, say, 200 to 300 yards ; then one after another they fly straight at 
you calling out the whole time. The cry sounds like ‘ Too-too-too-too ’ 
slowly, then the same repeated quickly and getting higher up the scale as they 
approach your head. They come in a dead line for the top of your head, and 
when just above your horse’s ears they screech and fly straight up into the air ; 
they repeat the same again and again till you move away. 
“ They begin to nest here in early August or, sometimes, if the winter is 
very mild, in early July. When nesting they will do all in their power to 
keep your away from the nest. They are rather stupid in that respect for 
often you would not suspect that a nest was near but for them. Many a nest 
is discovered just by the fact that they practically show it. When approaching 
a nest the birds fly at you in the manner described, and if that fails the;y will 
alight on the ground and walk away slowly, hoping you will follow. If, coming 
on the bird on the nest all of a sudden (which is a very hard thing to do) she 
will run off and extend one wing on to the ground and when followed, will 
flutter along for a couple of yards and then stop. She does not go in a straight 
line, and when satisfied that she has got you far enough, she gets up and 
flies away. 
“ When sheep come along, perhaps being driven, the drover will some- 
times wonder why the sheep stop and then split into two flocks and go off 
in different directions. If the drover is a keen observer he will soon know 
what is the matter. The sheep have come up to a plover’s nest, and the bird, 
instead of jumping up and flying off does a very simple thing, it extends one 
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