162 PR^COCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOL^. 



approached ; but this is probably owing to the intrusions upon its privacy by the 

 throng of summer visitors to places in which this bird was once abundant, and from 

 which it has been forced to depart. From very many of our most frequented beaches 

 in jSTew England and New Jersey this graceful and attractive species has been entirely 

 driven ; and in many others where a few still remain their wildness gives them, in 

 all probability, their only chance for existence. 



In Wilson's day the Piping Plover was very abundant during the summer on the 

 low sandy shores all along our sea-coast, from Cape May northward ; and since then, 

 and until within twenty years past, it was frequently seen on all the beaches of 

 Massachusetts. This bird lives near the edge of the sea, always on sandy beaches, 

 feeding at low water, on the sandy flats, among the sea-weeds of the uncovered rocks, 

 and also on muddy flats. Its food is various forms of minute marine life — worms, 

 Crustacea, and the like. It rarely flies while feeding, unless alarmed ; but glides along 

 with a peculiar and rapid gait over the surface of the flat sand. At high-tide it resorts 

 to the sandy uplands just above the water ; and in these places deposits its eggs in 

 depressions on the bare sand. The eggs — four in number — are so similar to the 

 surrounding objects, that they are not readily recognized ; and if approached, the 

 parents resort to simple, but usually successful, artifices to draw away the intruder — 

 simulating lameness, and fluttering near the ground as if disabled. The young are 

 able to run on leaving the shell, and are led by the mother to feed. They also 

 resemble the sandy soil on which they move, and instantly squat if approached, 

 remaining immovable, and will almost allow themselves to be trodden upon rather 

 than by their motion alloAv their presence to be revealed. During incubation the 

 parents rarely sit upon their eggs, except in the night, or unless the weather is damp ; 

 but ahvays keep in the neighborhood, and watch over their treasures with great 

 solicitude. 



The notes of this Plover are remarkably musical and pleasing, and its specific 

 name is one not undeserved. Where it can be seen in its natural condition, in a 

 region where it has never been disturbed or made apprehensive by intruders, it is a 

 pleasing object as, gracefully gliding over the sandy flats, and uttering from time to 

 time its soft and plaintive note, it moves rapidly along. 



If, when on tlie nest, this l)ird 1)6 too nearly approached, it immediately endeavors 

 to attract attention by spreading out its wings and tail, dragging itself along as if 

 moving with great difficulty, and at the same time uttering a peculiar squeaking cry. 

 Then, if successful in causing the intruder to abandon the search for the nest, it 

 glides rapidly away, and is soon out of reach. 



This species is found along the coast as far to the eastward as Eastport, but 

 becomes quite rare in that neighborhood, and only a few are seen at Grand Menan. 

 Audubon states that he met with it as far north as the Magdalen Islands, where he 

 found it paired and with eggs on the 11th of June, ISo.S. The same writer meiitions 

 having seen these birds breeding in Florida as early as the 3d of May ; so that, if he 

 is correct,^ they are found with more or less abundance along our entire Atlantic 

 coast. • Mr. Donald Gunn procured four specimens at Lake Winnipeg. Dr. Gundlach 

 has informed us that he found them breeding, and procured their eggs, in Cuba. 

 They are only partially migratory, leaving our more northern shores in the winter, 

 and are found from October to April on the sandy beaches of the Carolinas and 

 Florida. They move south in the fall in family groups of five or six, and after 



1 Mr. C. B. Crtiy found this spt'eies abundant at the Magdalen Islands in 187S, and Mr. W. A. Stearns 

 has recently reported it as coniniou in Southern Lal)vador. — J. A. A. 



