232 THE JERSEY COAST. 



Island, it is common, where it is known by therame 

 of "gray," "grass," "field," or "upland" plover. It 

 is very wary, and difficult to be approached. On the 

 ground it has an erect and graceful gait. When 

 alarmed it runs rapidly for a short distance before 

 taking wing, uttering a whistling note as it rises ; 

 its flight is rapid, frequently going out of sight 

 before alighting. It usually keeps on the open, dry 

 grounds — feeding on grasshopiDcrs, insects, and seeds. 

 In the month of August it is generally in fine condi- 

 tion, and highly prized as game. When feeding, 

 for greater security, this species scatter about ; the 

 instant the alarm is given, all move off. In the lat- 

 ter part of August it migrates southward, and, it is 

 said, performs the journey at night. Stragglers fre- 

 quently remain behind until late in September.' " 



"It is evident he knew the bird," rej)lied one of 

 the objectors; "but as he calls it by six or seven 

 names — the English ones being both sand-piper and 

 tatler — ^he evidently did not know what it should 

 be called." 



" That is the way with naturalists," replied another ; 

 " they each give a name to a species, but in this case 

 all agree that it Is not a plover. AYhat is the name 

 plover derived from ? " 



" It comes from the French word Pluvier, rain- 

 bird, because it generally flies during a rain. But 

 naturalists found distinctions more upon the shape 

 of bill and claws than on the habits of any species. 

 According to them, plovers proper have no hind toe, 

 or, at most, only a knob in its place." 



