temminck's stint. 
363 
“ When its eggs are very near, it sometimes runs about 
one's feet, and though it cannot but be anxious, it seems 
as busy as ever, picking knats and other insects off the 
grass; one nest which I found, was a short stone's throw 
from a cottage where children were playing about in all 
directions ; another was only a pace or two from a spring 
from which women drew water every day, and passers by 
often stopped to drink. 
“ The nest is very simple; a few short bits of hay in a 
little saucer-shaped hollow, placed amongst thin grass or 
sedge, generally not far from the water's edge, but some¬ 
times in the middle of a meadow. 
“The eggs were laid this year 1854, about midsummer- 
day.” 
