Part 20

Very similar to the Golden Plover in general appearance, but the yellow spots are replaced by whitish, and the hind toe is lacking. A few weeks in spring and autumn along the shore is all the time this bird spends with us; he passes the winter in the warm tropics of Africa, wandering southwards as far as the Cape, and then, obeying some mysterious impulse of which we can form no conception, he journeys in May northwards, and passing over many spots, which would to our ignorant eyes afford him food and shelter sufficient for the rearing of his young, he seeks out the wild and lonely tundras of Europe and Siberia.

There during the eternal day of an Arctic summer he rears his family, and as soon as they can fly, old and young are back again on our shores. For some weeks they remain, slowly passing to the south, and, unlike the Golden Plover, rarely coming inland; but by the middle of October they are all back enjoying once more the burning sun of the tropics.

The white tail coverts and absence of the hind toe will prevent any confusion between this species and the Golden Plover. Length 11·5 in.; wing 7·75 in.

THE SOCIABLE PLOVER Vanellus gregarius (Pallas)

This species is a native of South Russia and the Aralo-Caspian area. Until a few months ago, when a second example was procured in Kent, it had only once (in 1860) been taken in England.

The general colour above is drab; crown of the head black, margined with white. Quills black; secondaries white; tail white, with a subterminal brown band. Chin white; throat buff; breast brown; belly black; flanks and under tail coverts deep chestnut. Length 12 in.; wing 8 in.

THE LAPWING Vanellus vulgaris, Bechstein

No wild bird has perhaps to pay so large a tribute in eggs and individuals to man, and yet remains as common and abundant, as the Lapwing.

Early in March he appears on the marsh or water-meadows, where he or his parents before him have been accustomed to spend the summer; sometimes dry fields at some distance from the water are chosen, but as a rule it is never far from a river, stream, or even a moderate-sized pond. Although many pairs often nest in the same field, fierce battles take place between the males for the mates of their choice, but there is more "show" than strife, lengthy aerial chases with much calling out but very little serious fighting. Once, however, these early difficulties have been overcome, the colony settles down in peace, a few ousted pairs being left to seek some fresh ground.

The nest is merely a shallow platform of roots and bents, placed on a small hollowed-out "scrape" on the ground. Over the actual choice of a site there seems to be some difficulty, as many "scrapes" are generally to be found within a few yards of the spot eventually chosen. Towards the latter end of March the four pear-shaped eggs, so well known in poulterers' shops, are laid, and the hen commences her incubation duties, which last about nineteen days. During this period her mate wanders about in the vicinity of the nest, keeping an ever-watchful eye for any intruder. As soon as we are seen approaching he is up in the air, flying round with a great noise and performing at the same time a curious tumble, but recovering himself before touching the ground; after two or three minutes of these antics however, he goes away, having apparently no further interest in us or the place. We may then walk about the field in vain so far as that pair is concerned, for they will not return to settle while we are there and the eggs are so protectively coloured that the chances of our seeing them, even if we walk right by them, are exceedingly remote. While we were watching the male bird perform his curious antics, the hen, warned by his cries, quietly slipped off the nest, and flying low skimmed the next hedge and so away, and he, having watched her safely into a neighbouring field, goes off to join her and leaves us to find the eggs if we can. If we retire, however, they will not be long gone; he will soon fly back, and having ascertained that the danger is over and uttered no warning cry, she will immediately follow, and settling near the nest, run to it and once more cover her eggs. When the young are hatched, however, matters are very different; both birds will then rise, and flying round our heads beseech us with piteous cries to leave their young alone.

These cries serve the purpose of making the young squat and hide, and their greyish green down with black mottlings so exactly assimilates in colour with the ground, that they are almost impossible to see. The young leave the nest as soon as they are hatched, and utter a feeble cry not unlike that of the adults; at first their parents feed them most carefully, picking up grubs, flies, spiders, or any other insect that comes their way, while the young run up and take it from their beaks, but in a few days they feed themselves, though still carefully watched and fed by their parents. When they are full grown, at about six weeks old, they collect in large flocks and wander over the country. In October and November enormous flocks come over from the Continent and settle often for three weeks or a month in a particular field, which is usually resorted to yearly by these birds. As winter comes on they wander about according to the weather, wherever they can find suitable food, but with the first warm days of February the return north begins, and March finds them back once more in their summer home.

The upper parts are of a beautiful metallic green, the crown of the head and crest being almost black. Quills black, tipped with grey on the three outer pairs; tail feathers white, with a broad subterminal band of black on all save the outer pair; breast black; under tail coverts chestnut; rest of under parts white. In summer the chin and throat are black. In the female the crest is rather shorter and the outline of the extended wing is straighter. Length 12·5 in.; wing 8·75 in.

The young bird has buff margins to the feathers of the upper parts.

THE TURNSTONE Strepsilas interpres (Linnæus)

Breeding in the Far North as well as on some islands in the Baltic, the Turnstone is only a migrant to our shores, spending some weeks with us in autumn and returning again on a flying visit on its way to its breeding-quarters. A small minority spend the whole winter with us, and occasionally birds in full nuptial dress have remained in one locality all through the summer, but its nest has never yet been found in these islands.

Although it may be met with along almost any part of the coast, it is most partial to rocky places and spots where shingle banks are found amongst patches of mud. Its food consists of insects and crustacea of all kinds, and its name is derived from the habit of turning over stones for the sake of the insects that are thus exposed.

The nest is generally placed on the sea-shore close to high-water mark, little rocky islets just off the shore being very favourite localities. The eggs are four in number and very characteristic of this species, being greenish grey in ground colour, spirally streaked with brown. It is a late breeder, rarely having eggs before the beginning of June.

After the nesting season it at once moves southwards, young being met with on our shores by the middle of August. At this time of year it collects in small parties of from twenty to forty, and where not disturbed they are fairly tame and allow their curious method of feeding to be easily observed.

This bird is very variable in plumage when adult: the head and neck are variegated with black and white; mantle variegated with chestnut and black. Rump and under parts white. Tail brown; breast and shoulders chiefly black. The female resembles the male, but is slightly larger. Most of the chestnut colouring is lost in winter. The young have the upper parts brown, the feathers edged with white. Under parts white. Collar and a patch on each side of the breast dark brown. Length 9 in.; wing 6 in.

THE OYSTER-CATCHER Hæmatopus ostralegus, Linnæus

No one who has been along the shore in winter can have failed to notice the large flocks of black-and-white birds--Sea Pies as they are often called--sitting on a sand-spit and, like Canute of old, defying the tide. There they sit, till, when the water is just about to touch their feathers, they all rise as though with one mind, and shrieking out their shrill call as they go, pass along to the next promontory which will afford them dry foothold for a few minutes longer. Such is the Oyster-Catcher and such his life, restless as the tide itself near which he lives. He is a common and abundant bird throughout the year on all our coasts, feeding more especially on mussels and limpets, which its powerful wedge-shaped bill enables it to detach from the rocks. Other food such as crustacea and marine insects are also eaten. Early in spring the large flocks begin to break up into pairs.

As a rule the nest is on the shingle or the top of a low rock just above high-water mark, but where the rocks are steep and precipitous it is placed on the top of the cliff, many feet above the sea-level. In Scotland they sometimes nest inland along the river banks. The nest is merely a slight depression round which a few snails' shells or stones are laid, and it is to this habit rather than from its food that it owes the name of Oyster-Catcher. The eggs, two or three in number, are pale clay, freckled and spotted with black. Incubation is carried on by the hen, while her mate stands on some point of vantage from where, on the approach of a stranger, he gives vent to his loud and noisy "keep, keep, keep," which is continued until the supposed danger is past. On the first note of alarm the hen leaves her nest and soon joins in the chorus with her mate.

The young when first hatched are dark greyish brown, mottled and striped with black; they are at once taken to the shore and are very carefully watched over by their parents, who, when the tide is out, take them a considerable distance below high-water mark. One brood only is reared in the season, and as soon as the young can fly they begin to gather again into flocks.

The head and neck, scapulars and mantle, lesser wing coverts and tip of the tail are black, the rest of the plumage white. Bill orange vermilion; legs pink. The sexes are alike, and in winter there is a white crescent round the top and front of the neck, and the bill is horn-coloured at the tip. The bill is continually growing and so counteracting the wear and tear to which it is subjected. Length 16 in.; wing 9·75 in.

THE AVOCET Recurvirostra avocetta, Linnæus

If only the amasser of British killed specimens could be exterminated and the protection laws of this country more rigidly enforced, the Avocet might once more become a local breeding species in some of our counties. At present, however, a few birds arrive in our southern and eastern counties yearly, and it is to be feared that but few live to cross over to their breeding grounds in Holland. It used formerly to breed in considerable numbers in the marshes of Kent and Sussex, and along our flat eastern shores, but on the west and in the north it has never been more than an extremely rare and local visitor. The nest is placed on the mud or sand in an estuary, and at no great distance from the water, and consists merely of a very small collection of dry bents and grass. The eggs are three to four in number and pale clay in colour, speckled with black. The note is a clear "kluit," generally uttered on the wing, and when disturbed these birds are very noisy. Their food consists of small insects and crustacea, which are captured by a sideways motion of its curiously shaped bill. It almost always feeds in shallow water, and when feeding walks along, slowly moving the bill from side to side on the surface of the mud. It usually flies high, and from its coloration and long neck is not unlike a Sheld-Duck when at a distance, but its clear and loud "kluit, kluit," soon betrays its identity.

The sexes are alike; the head and back of the neck, scapulars, median and tertiary wing coverts and some of the primaries black. Rest of the plumage white. Bill black; legs pale blue. In the young the black portions are brownish. Length 10 in.; bill 3·2 in.; wing 8·5 in.

THE BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus candidus, Bonnaterre

This species is only a very scarce straggler to our shores, generally during the summer months. Its chief breeding grounds are along the shores of the Danube and Black Sea, and in the marismas of Southern Spain, whence it migrates to Africa in winter.

In the adult the mantle and wings are greenish black; tail grey; the rest of the plumage white. Bill black, and the long legs rose pink. Length 13·6 in.; bill 2·5 in.; wing 9·5 in.; legs 10 in.

GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius (Linnæus)

This species only appears as an irregular autumnal visitor on our south-eastern and southern shores, though it has been obtained both in Scotland and Ireland. In food and habits it resembles the Red-necked Phalarope, but its breeding range is more northerly, and is in fact circumpolar. It is extremely tame, and allows a close approach as it swims in shallow sheltered places a few feet from the margin of the shore, beach pools, or inland ponds, where it happens to be.

Its visits to this country are almost always in autumn, when it is in the grey plumage, which is grey on the back and white beneath, with a white forehead and a black streak running backwards through the eye. Bill black. The sexes are alike and the young similar but buffish on the chest.

A few solitary examples are sometimes seen in nuptial dress during the spring or very early autumn. In this plumage the head and back are black, with rufous margins to the feathers; cheeks white; under parts chestnut. Bill yellow. The male is rather duller in plumage than the female. Length 8·25 in.; wing 4·9 in.

THE RED-NECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus hyperboreus (Linnæus)

The Phalaropes are delightful little birds of very aquatic habits, and form a splendid instance of how similar environment tends to the production of similar structure. They may be easily recognised from other limicoline or wading birds by their very close feathering, especially on the breast, and their lobed feet, while in the Grey Phalarope, especially, the bill is somewhat flattened, so that in these birds we find a tendency towards the flattened bill as in Ducks, lobed feet as in the Grebes, and the peculiar thick feathers on the breast characteristic of Petrels and Gulls. The Phalaropes have also another peculiarity unique among British birds, although shared by several other groups in different parts of the world, namely that the duties of incubation and rearing of the young are conducted entirely by the male bird, and in correlation with this habit the female does all the courting and is brighter in plumage.

One or two spots in Scotland and Ireland are the only remaining places in our islands where this delightful bird may be found nesting, and as an autumn and winter visitor it is decidedly rarer than the preceding species, and very seldom found inland during the winter months. When visiting us it will usually be seen swimming in some sheltered tidal pool or in one of the ditches of the marsh, close to the sea-wall. Its food consists of small insects and crustacea. At its breeding haunts it is extremely tame, running about within a few feet of the intruder.

Its summer home is usually on some inland bog, and the nest is placed on a small tussock in a very wet place, often entirely surrounded by water. The eggs are four in number, very pyriform in shape, and large for the size of the bird, but owing to the nest being a deep cup, the surface of the eggs that has to be actually covered by the bird is comparatively small.

In colour they are pale olive very thickly spotted and streaked with black. The male undertakes all the duties connected with the young, the female taking no notice of the nest after the laying of the last egg. Frequently the female at the beginning of the breeding season is accompanied by more than one male, so that it is probable that polyandry exists in this group, as it has already been proved to do in other cases where the courting is undertaken by the female.

The call-note is a low "wit, wit, wit." In summer the head, neck, and shoulders are lead grey, the back and wings darker, with a mixture of pale rufous. A bar across the wings white. Sides and front of the neck chestnut; breast lead grey; chin and rest of under parts white. The male is rather duller than the female. In winter the forehead crown, and under parts are white, feathers of the back grey, with white margins. The young have rufous margins to the feathers of the back, but otherwise resemble their parents in winter dress. Length 7·5 in.; wing 4·4 in.

THE WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticula, Linnæus

The Woodcock is best known in these islands from the vast numbers that annually arrive during October to pass the winter with us. Although fairly well distributed at this time of year, they are most abundant in Ireland and our western counties, where they form one of the chief objectives of the shooter.

As its name indicates, the Woodcock spends most of its time in woods and plantations, flying every evening to wet meadows and marshes in the neighbourhood, where it feeds on worms and other insects, and returning to the woods before daybreak. On its passage to and from its feeding ground it always follows certain tracks, which are in consequence often known as "cock-roads." Early in March the vast majority take their departure for their breeding grounds in Northern Europe, but some remain to nest with us, and of late years its numbers as a breeding species have considerably increased.

The nest is a slight depression among dead leaves, generally at the foot of a tree. The eggs are four in number and yellowish white in colour, blotched with ash grey and reddish brown. When the young are hatched they are sometimes removed by the parents, the female being said to carry them by holding them pressed closely to her body between her legs. In common with all Snipe, the eye is placed far back on the head, and it has recently been shown that the external aperture of the ear is placed forwards in front of and below the eye.

The sexes are alike in colour and are reddish brown on the back, vermiculated with dark brown. The under parts are drab, barred with a darker shade. There is much individual variation in tint. Length 14·29 in.; wing 7·5 in.

The young resemble their parents, but are rather more barred on the back.

THE GREAT OR SOLITARY SNIPE Gallinago major (J. F. Gmelin)

A few individuals of this species, chiefly immature birds, visit our south and east counties yearly in autumn. Over the rest of the United Kingdom it is an exceedingly rare and irregular visitor.

It breeds in Scandinavia and across Northern Europe, extending southwards into Russia, Poland, and North Germany; over the rest of Europe east of the Rhone Valley it is common on migration and during the winter months.

It may be distinguished from the Common Snipe by its larger size, proportionately shorter legs and bill, and more boldly barred under parts. It has sixteen or more tail feathers. Length 10·5 in.; bill 2·3 in.; wing 5·5 in.

THE COMMON SNIPE Gallinago coelestis (Frenzel)

This bird is found wherever swamps, marshes, and damp meadows suitable to its habits are still left, and is a common resident throughout Great Britain, receiving large additions to its numbers from the Continent every autumn.

Very early in April it begins to nest, making a fairly deep "scrape" in a damp spot, generally in some rough grass or other cover, and lining it with a few bents and leaves. The eggs, four in number, as is the case with all wading birds, are greenish olive, spotted and blotched, often spirally, with various shades of brown, and there are also a few black markings near the larger end. The young when first hatched are reddish chestnut, mottled with black and white.

During the breeding season this species may often be seen "drumming" or "bleating." This is a sound much like the "bleating" of a goat, and considerable doubt as to how it was produced has long existed, although a Swedish naturalist stated many years ago that it was brought about by the rapidly vibrating tail feathers as the bird descended at a certain angle through the air. This has recently been clearly proved as correct by an English observer, Mr. P. Bahr, who points out that the sound is produced by the two outer tail feathers, which during the flight are held out widely separated from the rest of the tail. The sound can be produced artificially by placing these feathers on a cork and rapidly whirling them round with a piece of string. During the breeding season it utters also a loud vocal "chip, chip," when on the ground, while when suddenly flushed the alarm-note of "scape, scape" is well known. Its flight is very rapid and direct when once on the wing, but on first rising it flies in short zig-zags, offering a very difficult shot. Sometimes, however, it will "squat" on the approach of danger, and even on a bare patch of mud becomes almost invisible, so well do its colours harmonise.

Its method of "squatting" is rather peculiar, for it puts its beak down and its body and tail well in the air and generally pressed up against some growing vegetation. In this position the two light dorsal stripes appear like blades of grass, and all trace of the contour and shape of the bird is lost.

The sexes are alike in plumage. The general colour above is dark brown, with a light buff stripe across the crown and two stripes of a similar colour down the back, which is also mottled with buffish. Cheeks and chin are white, flecked with dark brown; chest and flanks ash brown; rest of under parts white. The young resemble their parents. Length 10·75 in.; bill 2·5 in.; wing 5 in.

There is a dark variety of this bird, known as Sabine's Snipe, which is occasionally met with, especially in Ireland. It has the whole of the under parts ash brown, barred with black, and the light stripes on the back are absent. Intermediates between the normal and the true Sabines are not uncommon.

THE JACK SNIPE Gallinago gallinula, Linnæus

Breeding in the north-western corner of Europe, as far east as Archangel, the Jack Snipe is only a winter visitor to this country, arriving towards the end of October and often not leaving our shores till well on in summer, but there is no authenticated case of its ever having bred with us. In habits it closely resembles the Common Snipe, but lies much closer when being "walked up," and then rising at one's feet goes off at a great pace. It is a more solitary bird than the Common Snipe, and a single individual may often be found for a whole winter in the same spot.

During the breeding season it "drums" in the same manner as the Common Snipe, the noise having been compared to the cantering of a horse on a hard road. The eggs are similar in colour and only very slightly smaller than those of the Common Snipe.