102 PLUVIALIS AUIIEA. 



wing is fired at, all the birds come sweeping down toward 

 the ground, in a more or less abrupt curve, and then ascending 

 in a gentler SAveep resume their course. Frequently, also, 

 should some of them be killed, the rest will wheel round, and 

 come again within shot. 



The Plovers of the Hebrides do not migrate : they merely 

 shift from the moors to the shores and back again. In the 

 mainland districts, they act in the same manner ; but their 

 flights are there more extended. On the Plain of Corstor- 

 phine, near Edinburgh, vast flocks are often seen in winter, 

 which have come from the interior, and in snowy weather 

 betake themselves to the shore at Cramond. Aberlady Bay 

 is also a favourite place of resort. Vast numbers are seen 

 on various parts of the Solway Frith ; and all these birds 

 probably remain during the winter. 



In England, however, it would appear that the flocks 

 which occur in the southern counties, in winter, migrate far 

 northward in spring. Mr. Thompson says it " is common in 

 suitable localities throughout Ireland, and is permanently 

 resident." What the " natural enemies " of the Golden 

 Plover are I am unable to say, not having seen any animal 

 but man molest it. The Hooded Crow probably devours the 

 eggs and young, whenever he meets with them, and the 

 Raven would be equally unscrupulous. This, however, is 

 mere conjecture on my part. But Mr. St. John has seen the 

 Peregrine Falcon pursue and capture it. " In the plain 

 country near the sea-shore (in Morayshire) the Peregrine 

 frequently pursues the Peewits and other birds that frequent 

 the coast. The Golden Plover, too, is a favourite prey, and 

 affords the hawk a severe chase before he is caught. I have 

 seen a pursuit of this kind last for nearly ten minutes, the 

 Plover turning and doubling like a hare before a greyhound, 

 at one moment darting like an arrow into the air, high above 

 the Falcon's head ; at the next, sweeping round some bush 

 or headland — but in vain. The Hawk, with steady, relent- 

 less flight, without seeming to hurry herself, never gives up 

 the chase, till the poor Plover, seemingly quite exhausted, 

 slackens her pace, and is caught by the Hawk's talons in 

 mid-air, and carried off to a convenient hillock or stone to 

 be quietly devoured." 



