140 BULLETIN 142, UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM 



their feeding grounds than other waders. When resting on the high 

 beaches between tides they stand quietly in close groups, all facing 

 the wind; their grey plumage renders them quite inconspicuous at 

 such times. F. H. Allen tells me that he has seen half a dozen of 

 them hopping about on one leg in shallow water ; this may be a sort 

 of game, frequently indulged in by many small waders. 

 Mr. Manniche (1910) says: 



Peculiar to this species is its restless character. The resident couples 

 would every day make long excursions, not only to seek food, but probably 

 also for pleasure. Their great power of flight makes them able to do this 

 without difficulty. In rapid high flight they are now here and now there. 

 I often saw them set out in a northern direction high over the summits of 

 the mountains or in a southern far out over the ice in the firths, to return after 

 a short while. 



In the breeding season the male is pugnacious and quarrelsome against birds 

 of its own kin as well as against other small birds, which appear within his 

 domain. Uttering a short cry he will fly up and pursue the intruder in the most 

 violent manner and often he would follow it so far away, that I could not see 

 them, even through my field glass. He would soon return, and having — trium- 

 phantly fluting — circled around several times, go down to his mate. I have 

 seen the knot pursue even skuas. 



Mr. Mackay (1893) writes: 



On the ground they are sluggish and not given to moving about much; 

 unless very much harrassed they are not nearly so vigilant as their com- 

 panions, the black-bellied plover, but when they have become shy they are 

 exceedingly wary and always on the alert for danger. When the incoming 

 tide drives the knots from the flats they seek the marshes or some shoal 

 which is sufficiently elevated to remain uncovered during high water; they 

 also frequent the crest of the beaches. Here they generally remain quiet until 

 the tide has fallen sufficiently to permit them to return again to the flats to 

 feed. When on the marshes during high water they occupy some of the time 

 in feeding, showing they are by no means dependent on the flats for all their 

 'food. They associate and mingle freely with the turnstone (Arenaria inter- 

 pres), black-bellied plover (Charadrius squat arola) , and red-backed sandpiper 

 (Tringa alpina pacifica) as with their own kind, and apparently evince the 

 same friendship toward the two former birds as prevails between the American 

 golden plover (Charadrius dominicus) and the Eskimo curlew (Numenius 

 borealis). I have heard of but one instance (at Revere, Mass., during a storm) 

 of the knot being noted in the same flock with adult American golden plover. 

 At this time there were three, one of which was shot. I have heard, however, 

 of both adult and young knots mingling with young American golden plover, or 

 " pale-bellies," as they are locally called. 



Voice. — The same writer says : 



They make two notes. One is soft, of two articulations, and sounds like 

 tne word "Wah-quoit" (by which name it is sometimes known on Cape Cod) ; 

 although uttered low, it can be heard quite a distance. This note is particu- 

 larly noticeable when flocks are coming to the decoys; it has a faint rolling 

 sound similar to the note of the American golden plover {Charadrius domi- 

 nicus) under the same conditions, only more subdued and faint. The other 



