764 THE GAME BIRDS 
marking is a very difficult one to describe in 
unscientific language, and must be seen to be 
appreciated. The belly is pure white and 
the breast mottled. The winter and young 
plumage lacks the reddish and the breast is 
shaded with buff. Length 8 inches; extent 
over 15 inches; eyes brown; bill and feet 
black. 
This bird is found at various seasons over 
the entire continent, and for beauty is sur- 
passed by but few. It passes Massachusetts, 
going northward, early in May, and returns 
in July, the adults coming first and the young 
following in August. They feed upon the 
sandy beaches and flats almost exclusively, 
and seem to be in constant motion. They 
will follow a “ breaker” down until they are 
wading in the rolling surf, and skurry back 
to avoid the rush when it returns. 
Since the approach of civilization has 
driven the larger birds away from our shores, 
more of these birds are shot than formerly, 
but they are as deserving as the plovers of a 
place in the game bag. They are a good 
table bird, and are oenerally in good condi- 
tion, especially the young birds in the fall. 
