THE KILDEER PLOVER. 



215 



well-known cry of " Kildeer ! Kildeer ! dee, dee, 

 dee!" At such times their flight is powerful and 

 easy, somewhat resembling that of the smaller Hawks. 

 Now and then one may be seen following in the track 



Kildeer Plover. 



of the ploughman, picking up the grubs and worms 

 from the fresh soil. And again you may find him 

 coursing along the shores of some running stream, 

 or upon the muddy banks of a mill-pond, feeding 

 upon the snails or mud-worms which abound in such 

 places. Sometimes it wades into the water to wash 

 and plume its coat, and laying itself down, flutters 

 its wings and splashes about in great glee, until it 

 becomes pretty well soaked, when it retires to a sunny 

 spot to dry. 



The nest of this bird is a simple affair, being as 

 a general thing merely a hollow scooped out of the 

 earth, and, when in a wet situation, a few stems are 

 placed around it as a protection. The eggs are four 



