156 PR^ECOCIAL GRALLATORES — LBIICOL^. 



other's presence as long as it is undisturbed, yet if alarmed they rise and join in 

 flocks. They run with great swiftness and grace over the sandy beaches. They 

 are a very silent bird exce^jt when their treasures are threatened or when sud- 

 dcnlv alarmed. They are unsuspicious to an unusual degree, few Waders more so, 

 and may always be readily approached. The young accompany the parents as 

 soon as hatched, and until nearly grown are sheltered by the mother in the man- 

 ner of the domestic lion. WIkmi first hatched they have a somewhat striking mottled 

 appearance. 



On Lake Koskonong. in 1<S7.':), this species had reached its greatest abundance by 

 the 15th of August ; and Giraud mentions its always arriving in Long Island in 

 the latter part of the same month. It passes northward in its spring migrations 

 early in May. (liraud states that tliis Plover frequents the same situations with the 

 Semipalmated Sandpiper, in company with which it is often seen gathering its food, 

 and like that bird admitting of a very near approach. When alarmed, it utters a 

 very sharp note. Late in the fall it migrates south. 



Audubon states that in their breeding-places birds of this species resort to moun- 

 tainous mossy lands. In Labrador he met with them in almost every place at which 

 he landed, and found tlicm breeding in all the spots that were adapted for that 

 l)nr])use. On being surprised, when in charge of their young, they would beat the 

 ground Avith the extremities of their opened wings, as if unable to rise. If pursued, 

 they at first permitted a near approach, and then took to flight, seeking to decoy the 

 intruder from their young, which srpuatted so closely that it was difficult to distinguish 

 them. If the latter were traced, they ran swiftly off, uttering a plaintive peep, which 

 never failed to bring their mothers to their aid. 



In that region this bird begins to breed early in June, and young ones about a 

 week old Avere procured on the 2d of June. The nest of this species is simply a 

 small cavity in the moss, in a place sheltered from the north winds, and open to the 

 full rays of the sun, and usually near the margins of small ponds. The eggs are 

 always four, and placed with the small ends together ; they are pyriform in shape 

 — pointed at one end, and obtuse at the other. 



Audubon states that by the 12tli of August all the individuals that had bred in 

 Labrador had taken their departure, some proceeding by the Atlantic shore, others 

 by the great lakes and rivers. At this period they are sometimes seen in ploughed 

 fields searching for insects and worms. Their usual food consists of small Crustacea, 

 mollusks, and the ova of marine animals. 



This Plover extends its migrations to the shores of the Arctic Sea, and in these 

 more northern localities lines the depression in the sand which serves for its nest with 

 dried grasses. Mr. MacFarlane found its nest made of withered leaves and grasses 

 in a depression on the shore just above high-water mark. This bird was said to 

 be tolerably numerous in that region. Mr. Kennicott found it common on the 

 shores of Lake Winnipeg. It was also found by Mr. Ball to be very common at 

 Nulato, St. Michael's, and near the mouth of the Yukon. There also the eggs were 

 found laid in small depressions, made very smooth and round, and lined with 

 a little dry grass, very carefully put in. The nests observed contained only two 

 eggs each. 



Mr. ^MacFarlane found tliis species quite common on the shores of the Arctic Sea, 

 at Franklin Bay, at Anderson Kiver, Fort Anderson, and other localities near the 

 coast. The nests were always mere cavities dug in the soil, sometimes with a few 

 withered leaves, and occasionally Avith no lining Avhatever. The number of eggs Avas 

 usually four ; in no instance more, but occasionally three or tAVO. The parent bird 



