. British birds . AVOCET TUR>riNG HER EGGS BEFORE SETTLING DOWN ON THEM.{Photographed by Miss M. G. S. Best.) The nesting Avocets were easy birds to photograph,and returned quickly to their eggs after being disturbed—the only exception I noticed being one bird not veryfar from a Terns nest, which fled from her eggs on theslightest alarm and remained in the distance callingin an agitated way. The bird I photographed alighted at a Uttle distancebehind the nest, and approached warily, calUng as shecame, pausing every few steps to jerk her head andbody, much in the same way that a Redshank does
. British birds . AVOCET TUR>riNG HER EGGS BEFORE SETTLING DOWN ON THEM.{Photographed by Miss M. G. S. Best.) The nesting Avocets were easy birds to photograph,and returned quickly to their eggs after being disturbed—the only exception I noticed being one bird not veryfar from a Terns nest, which fled from her eggs on theslightest alarm and remained in the distance callingin an agitated way. The bird I photographed alighted at a Uttle distancebehind the nest, and approached warily, calUng as shecame, pausing every few steps to jerk her head andbody, much in the same way that a Redshank does. 60 BRITISH BIRDS. [vol. vm. and at the same time to shake each foot quickly asshe raised it from the ground. Avocets seem to be very restless sitters—always onthe move, walking from the nest a few feet to peckat the mud or to preen themselves, giving one theimpression that their long legs become cramped whenfolded under the bird for any length of time. These. MALE AVOCET APPROACHING FEMALE ON NEST,{Photographed by Miss M. G. S. Best.) observations were made as much from other nestingpairs within easy distance of my hide as from the pairimmediatel}^ in front of me. The absent mate returned generally within an hourof his departure and changed places, flying down tothe ground a few yards away and calling loudly as headvanced, which call was answered by the bird on thenest. She waited till he was close to her before standingup, then they both looked at the eggs, making at the BHEEDING-HABITS OF AVOCETS. 61 VOL. vin.] same time a contented crooning note ; the new arrivalthen settled himself down, while she moved off a littleway, feeding and stretching herself. The bird off duty was seldom far away from its neston these marshes, as there were so many nests ofdifferent birds breeding close together that the non-sitterwas generally fiercely protecting its mate and eggs. ^^^■ * , ■4 ^^^ -^ ■ >A ;^ .,-.:■--.•:•?;-^?^#^ m -^?^^? 1 •
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, bookpublisherl, booksubjectbirds
