142 PRJ£COCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOL^. 



adds that this bird only visits Bermuda during its great southern migration, a few 

 being met with by the 1st of September, or, rarely, a few days earlier. As a gen- 

 eral rule, it passes over Bermuda in large and numerous flocks between the lOth and 

 17th of September. If the weather is favorable, the flocks pass on, at a considerable 

 elevation, in a southerly or southeasterly direction, the form of the flight being a 

 leading cluster, from whicli extend three long lines in single flle. They must have 

 come over a distance of eight hundred miles, and have a still longer flight to accom- 

 plish before they can reach tevra firma. 



Occasionally hurricanes originate in the West Indies, rage with great violence, 

 and ])ass to the westward of Bermuda. It is impossible for the Plovers to proceed 

 if they meet one of these terrific storms of Avind and rain, and they take refuge in 

 the Bermudas. It is very remarkable that they are always extremely fat, and they 

 are in consequence much sought by the hunters. A few flocks — later arrivals — are 

 met Avith up to the middle of October. Mr. Hurdis Avas informed by a friend long 

 resident in Antigua that in September this island is annually visited by covmtless 

 flocks of this bird. On one occasion, Avlien the weather Avas stormy, this Plover made 

 its appearance in such multitudes that in St. John's the inhabitants in all directions 

 shot them from their doors and windows, even the boys killing them with sticks and 

 stones. Similar occurrences are narrated as having taken place in Martinique and 

 Barbadoes. 



This bird is said to display great activity when on the ground, and it often runs 

 with considerable rapidity before taking Aving. It is not so timid as the Black-bellied 

 Plover, and is easily decoyed by imitating its peculiarly melloAv note, and is often 

 observed, if thus enticed AA'hen passing in a certain direction, to check its course, 

 turn round, and present itself as an easy mark. The stay of this species is short, 

 and as the season advances it passes southward, alAA^ays moving in flocks and in a 

 very regular manner. 



In their Avintry Avanderings they alternately visit the West Indies, Central and 

 South America, to Paraguay and Chili. Salvin noted their appearance in the open 

 pasture-lands about Duenas, Guatemala, in the second Aveek of April, where they 

 Avere always seen in company Avith flocks of Bartram's Tattler. This bird appears to 

 be of accidental occurrence in Florida, AA^here Mr. Moore saAV but two individuals, one 

 in the spring. Professor Alfred jSTcAvton refers to their autumnal migrations through 

 St. Croix, where they often appear in large numbers. There they are usually seen 

 after a gale from the south or southwest. From this he infers that they are arrested 

 in their southern migration by the Avind, and compelled to defer journeying farther 

 until the weather has changed. To this Mr. EdAvard jSTcAA'ton adds, that their arrival 

 is hailed Avith delight by the sportsmen, every one possessing a gun hastening to the 

 pastures on the south side of the island, and there aAvaiting the long line of these 

 birds as they fly up from the sea without exhibiting the least shyness. They were 

 first noticed by the Newtons, August 31, and as all the birds seen had more or less 

 traces of the black breast of the breeding-plumage, it Avas supposed that the young 

 birds must haA^e taken a difl'erent line from their parents in their migration. In 

 Trinidad, according to Leotaud, this species is a regular migratory visitant, arriving 

 about the end of August and nioAang sor;th in October, and is ahvays found in flocks 

 of considerable size, frequenting the sea-side, but being even more fond of the interior 

 meadows, and especially of those freshly turned up, where it finds a great abundance 

 of the Avorms on AA'hich it feeds. It is the most regular of the birds of passage, 

 arrives in varying numbers, and is sought after by the local epicures ; although 

 Leotaud adds that this supposed excellence of its flesh is more imaginary than real. 



