2 DOTTED EL
nno of tho ndjneent summit*. During windy weather in nntuniu I ocean ion ally found the llockl somewhat
dilUeull In approach within range; with a little driving, however, it was generally possible to
procure n few couple. The young birds commonly retain the down about the head and hack of the neck
long after they are strong on wing. A few days before the 1:1th of August, 1SG7, six or seven couple
were bagged by two guns, while hare- and Plover-shooting * on the hills in the west of Perthshire J and
with one or two exceptions a quantity of down still showed round their heads.
A short account extracted from my notes of lstiti concerning the capture or the specimens figured on
the ['Into 111:11 possible hi' of sort ice in gh ing some information about the no-ting-habits of this species.
Having failed on two occasions, owing to a strong wind and mist, to meet with the birds on the hills
lying between Loch Eannoch and the river Lyon during the middle of June, a third attempt was made
on the 2(itli, when the weather proved all that could be desired. In order to avoid the necessity of climbing
the sleepest part of the hill during the midday heat, an early start from the lodge was effected, and the
high ground reached before the rays of the sun caused tho slightest inconvenience. While making oar
way slowly up the winding peat-track an immature White-tailed Uagle came in view, circling over a
portion of one of the neighbouring hills where peats had recently been east ; at last he settled on a ridge, and
turning bis head from side to side calmly surveyed the scene. Unwilling to waste the time that must
necessarily have been spent in stalking the bird, wo proceeded on our journey, though I had little doubt,
owing to the direction uf the wind and the rugged nature of the ground, that this specimen might have
been obtained. For an hour longer, while he still remained in view, not the slightest change from the
position first taken was observed; doubtless some dead sheep or other prey had been detected near
at baud, nnd would prove an attraction to the spot till all signs of danger had vanished. On leaving
the track and striking out into the open moor, a flat was shortly reached where Golden rlovor were
breeding about tho swampy ground on oaeh side of a small burn that trickled slowly down the mountainside.
In many instances the birds would barely rise on our approach, running a few yards and turning
again and again to face us with a low plaintive cry, their young being evidently concealed in the bright
yellow moss that extended some distance over tho fiat. A few cock Grouse were seen in the patches of
heather round tho outskirts of the mossy ground; but no further signs of bird-life were encountered till
n wide expanse of broken ground on which I had met with two or three broods of Dotterel during tho
previous autumn was entered upon, and a pair of Meadow-Pipits were detected creeping quietly through the
seanty herbage. A haze that had hung in early luorniug over the low ground near the river-side had now
cleared off, and from our present position, at au elevation of considerably over 2500 feet, a magnificent
stretch of scenery was in view. Not a cloud or a vestige of mist obscured the mountain-tops, and even
the most distant hills stood out well defined in the clear morning air. To the north the wholo outline
of Ben Nevis could be discerned, as usual exhibiting a considerable amount of snow in the higher gullios;
the rifts and chasms in the rugged mountains about Glen Coo looked dark aad gloomy as ever; while at
our feet tho whole surfaee of Loch Ilannoch was spread out, resembling iu the bright sunlight a sheet of
molten silver. To the south the course of the Lyon could be traced for twelve or fourteen miles, wiudiie*
through the glen, with the higher slopes of lien Lawers rising up stern and majestic immediately beyond
the lower ridges that look down upon the river; to the east and west Schiehalliou and Den More, with
many another craggy peak, broke up the sky-line and added to the wilduess of the scene. Having now
reached a sufficient height to commence our Starch, the pony with the lunch-hampers was made fast
while with the keeper and two gillies we formed in line and made our way slowly over the ground in
order to raiso the birds. Scarcely one hundred yards had been passed over when a low whistle from the
• In order to Loop on good I n nith ths drain, il used to bo tho custom some jcori back on mmy of tbc dioutingi iu lliu district to kill
DOTTEREL.
man holding the upper station attracted my attention, and proceeding n short distance uphill a Dotterel
was seen Hying round in circles, ils actions at once leading us to suppose that eggs or young were close
at hand. Por a time we carefully examined every hole nnd inequality in tin1 ground without suoeoss,
and al length sat down to rest and watch; whilst wo wore in motion the bird einlhiued swooping round,
uttering occasionally a low whistle, but as soon ns a halt was made il settled on an adjoining knoll
within the distance of thirty yards. A few minutes later a downy nestling was seen to rise from a
bare patch of ground, and make off uphill at n pace that, considering its size, was most remarkable.
The colouring and markings on the down corresponded so closely with the general tints of the moss
and herbage that this tiny Creature had escaped observation, though the spot on which it squatted
had been passed over repeatedly. A second shortly after attempted to escape uphill, in answer probably
to the low call of the old bird, nnd the third au hour later was deteeled in the same manner. On
the few occasions on which I bad met with the nest of this species the eggs never exceeded three
in number I and judging that the entire brood had now been taken, the edd bird was next easily procured.
It was not till well on hi the afternoon, lielweeu four and five o'clock, that its mate came in view and
proved far more wary, Hying round in wide circles and resolutely refusing to approach within the
distance of sixty or seventy yards. At last il was knocked down, but falling winged over a brae in a
patch ul broken ground where blue hares hail scratched numberless holes in the lurf, it succeeded iu
evading capture, and no dog having been brought uphill in consequence of the distance and heat of the
weather, we were forced at length to relinquish our search.
Having noted the direction from which lids bird came iu view, I ascended Ihe neighbouring hill, Cairngorm,
n few days later, and soon fell in with three small trips, consisting each of three or four individuals.
A spii'imeii was at once procured, mid for several hours the actions of the survivors were watched. All
tho time we remained on the high ridge the birds gave no signs of separating, and paid but little regard
to our presence. The specimen obtained on this occasion proved to ho a female, while tho bird shot with
the brood turned out, contrary to my expectation, a male. The brightness of the colouring on the
feathers of all tho birds composing the small parties on Cairngorm would lead one to believe that these
were females, the care of the juveniles appearing to devolve on the males, who at this season exhibit
more worn and far less shuivy plumage.
The ndult mate and female figured in the Plate with the hrood are Ihe pair whose capture is
described above. As tIn- plumage of both specimens was considerably worn, these birds, to be seen in
full beauty, should probably Is1 procured before tho nesting-operations have boon commenced, 1 also
repeatedly remarked this fact in connection with Golden Plover.