COMMON, OR GOLDEN PLOVER. 17 



in Asia and Europe, from Kamtschatka to China, as well 

 as in the South Sea Islands ; and on the present continent 

 from Arctic America, where it breeds, to the Falkland 

 Islands : it is also seen in the interior, at least as far as 

 Missouri. They breed in Siberia, and in the northern parts 

 of Great Britain, but not in France or Italy, where they are 

 also common. At such times, they select the high and 

 secluded mountains sheltered by the heath, where, without 

 much attempt at a nest, they deposit about 4, or sometimes 

 5 eggs of a pale olive color, marked with blackish spots. 



They arrive on the coast of the middle and northern 

 states in spring and early autumn. Near to Nantasket and 

 Chelsea beach, they are seen, on their return from their 

 inclement natal regions in the north, by the close of August, 

 and the young remain in the vicinity till the middle of Oc- 

 tober, or later, according to the state of the weather. They 

 live principally upon land insects, or the larvse and worms 

 they meet with in the saline marshes, and appear very fond 

 of grasshoppers. About the time of their departure they 

 are, early in a morning, seen sometimes assembled by 

 thousands, but they all begin to disperse as the sun rises, 

 and at length disappear high in the air for the season. They 

 usually associate, however, in small flocks and families, and 

 when alarmed, while on the wing, or giving their call to 

 those who are feeding around them, they have a wild, shrill 

 and whistling note, and are at most times timid, watchful, 

 and difficult to approach. Though they continue associa- 

 ted in numbers for common safety during the day, they 

 disperse in the evening, and repose apart from each other. 

 At day-break, however, the feeling of solitude again returns, 

 and the early sentinel no sooner gives the shrill and well 

 known call than they all assemble in their usual company. 

 At this time, they are often caught in great numbers by the 

 fowler, with the assistance of a clap-net, stretched before 

 2* 



