192 BIRD NAMES. [No. 55. 



in New Jersey at Barnegat, Tuckerton, and Cape May City, 

 BLACK-BREAST PLOVER. 



In numerous localities gunners divide this species ; for exam- 

 ple, the name Beetle-head is commonly restricted to birds in 

 autumn dress, these being regarded as distinct from the Black- 

 breasts. 



Known also at West Barnstable, Mass., as MAY COCK; and in 

 that interesting pamphlet about Shore Birds — ]^o. 1, of the Forest 

 and Stream series, 1881, we find the following : " On the coast 

 of Virginia about Cobb's Island, the name of PILOT has been 

 given, as it is always seen leading the large flights of birds 

 which the rising tides drive from the shoals and oyster rocks, 

 and it is supposed to direct the flocks ' to pastures new.' This, 

 however, is not the case. It is the fastest flying bird of all the 

 bay snipe, and it cannot fly slow enough for the other species." 



Mr. Swainson writes, in his Provincial N^ames of British Birds, 

 1885 : " Its habit of frequenting the sea-shore has obtained for 

 it the names SEA PLOVER : SEA COCK (Waterford) : STRAND 

 PLOVER (Cork) : MUD PLOVER, STONE PLOVER (North and 

 South Ireland) : ROCK PLOVER (Wexford)." 



