SCOLOPACID^ — THE SNIPE FAMILY —BARTRAMIA. 299 



of the Schuylkill. He mentions that, unlike most of its tribe, it seems to prefer 

 running about in the grass, feeding on beetles and other winged insects, there being 

 usually three or four in company. The bird was extremely watchful, silent, and 

 shy, so that it could only with great difficulty be approached. It was occasionally 

 seen during the months of August and September, and is described as running with 

 great rapidity, sometimes spreading its tail and dropping its wings, in the manner 

 of a bird seeking to attract the intruder away from its nest. It remains as if fixed 

 when it alights, stands very erect, and as it mounts to fly utters two or three 

 sharp whistling notes. It was always remarkably plump. It is probable that much 

 of Wilson's information in regard to the habits and breeding of the Field Plover, 

 attributed by him to the Black-bellied Plover, really belonged to the former, and not 

 to the latter, which is a species not known to breed in any portion of the United 

 States. 



Audubon characterizes this bird as the most terrestrial of the Wading tribe, hardly 

 belonging to that family in its habits, but always keeping away from water, and 

 never venturing to wade. In the dry upland plains of Opelousas and Attakapas, in 

 Louisiana, he found it abundant in early spring as well as in autumn, passing through 

 there in the beginning of March, and returning again in the fall. It was equally 

 abundant on all the western prairies, on both sides of the Missouri, arriving there 

 a month later than in Louisiana. The general impression that these birds never 

 associate together in considerable numbers he observed to be not wholly correct, and 

 Mr. Salvin also met with them iu quite large flocks in the winter. Audubon also 

 observed them arriving in large bands in the spring in the neighborhood of iSTew 

 Orleans, where they generally remained two weeks, a few continuing until the 15th 

 of May. He noticed that, whether they alighted on fences, trees, and out-houses, or 

 on the ground, they always raised both wings upright to their full extent, and uttered 

 a loud, prolonged, and not unpleasant note. When pursued, they will at times lower 

 their heads and run off rapidly, or, partially extending their Avings, run a few steps, 

 and then take to flight, or, moving off sideway, conceal themselves in the grass. When 

 Avinged they escape by running off rapidly and hiding themselves so that they can 

 rarely be foiind. In Louisiana they feed chiefly on coleopterous insects, and among 

 these often eat cantharides, and are thus rendered unfit for food. In 'New England 

 they live chiefly on grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects. In the spring mi- 

 grations they eat wild strawberries, and their flesh thus acquires a delicious flavor. 

 The flight of this bird is swift and well sustained ; its migrations are mostly at 

 night. 



In South Carolina, according to Dr. Bachman, this Plover appears, moving south, 

 about the 15th of July — the hottest season of the year — resorts to high grass-lands, 

 remaining there about a month. It is seldom met with there in flocks of more than 

 four or five. It is hunted by riding over the fields in a gig, from which the sports- 

 man can shoot the birds as they rise out of the grass ; and this can hardly be done 

 in any other way. 



The usual call-note of the Upland Plover, when undisturbed, especially during the 

 breeding-season, is a prolonged and peculiarly soft whistle. This is clear and reso- 

 nant, and to those familiar with it is readily distinguished from any other. The call- 

 notes vary somewhat in their character, and change as the season progresses, and 

 may be heard during the night when the young brood has appeared. These notes 

 change yet more, and become intensified signals of alarm, when the young are threat- 

 ened by danger. But under any and all circumstances these cries are peculiar to 

 the species, and are unlike those of any of its tribe. 



