. The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state . s together, so that they may occupy the least room possible; andthis appears quite necessary when we note how large they are in compari-son with the parent bird. Sometimes a little grass or crumbled bark ordried rabbits dung serves for the lining, but often the eggs are laid upon thebare ground. Once in eastern Washington, I found what I think must be THE KILLDEER 487 regaided as the ideal environment for these eggs. An upland gravel-bed,peculiar to that region, was composed of d
. The birds of Ohio; a complete scientific and popular description of the 320 species of birds found in the state . s together, so that they may occupy the least room possible; andthis appears quite necessary when we note how large they are in compari-son with the parent bird. Sometimes a little grass or crumbled bark ordried rabbits dung serves for the lining, but often the eggs are laid upon thebare ground. Once in eastern Washington, I found what I think must be THE KILLDEER 487 regaided as the ideal environment for these eggs. An upland gravel-bed,peculiar to that region, was composed of disintegrating fragments of a lightbrown lava mingled with the soil. Each pebble of the bed was scrawledand spotted by a black lichen, as tho tar had been carelessly flung this bed repoised four Killdeer eggs. When you saw them you sawthem, because their outlines were rounded instead of angular; but the momentthe eye departed from them the search had to be commenced anew, so per-fectly were the eggs mimicked by their surroundings. Young Killdeers are delightful absurdities. Their strength is in their. Taken in Lorain County. Photo by the Author. NEST AND EGGS OF THE KII^l^DEER. legs, and these carry them pattering away, before the embryonic juices arefairly dried upon their backs. They need to be nimble, for all nature turnsteeth to little birds that cannot fly. Fortunately for them the flesh of the Killdeer is not esteemed for foodby humans, so they are allowed to gather in peace into fall companies con-taining a score or two of individuals. The Killdeer is not gregarious at othertimes of year, altho a half dozen pairs may nest in the same field; but infall they flock commonly, and are found about meadow ponds, river bars,and even on the lake beaches. 488 THE PLOVER. These Plovers migrate at night, preferably by moonlight; and, may be regarded as an unquiet spirit on almost any moonlight nightin spring or fall. Most of the birds leave ou
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectbirds, bookyear1903
