TilE SHARP-TAILED DOTTERELS. t$J 



llange outside tlie British Islands. — This species is found gener- 

 ally over temperate North America in summer, migrating south 

 in winter to Central America and the Antilles, and passing to 

 South America as far as Peru and Chili. 



H.ibits. — The common name of the Kill-deer Plover is derived 

 from its note, Mdeer or /aVdee. Mr. D. G. Elliott, in his recently 

 published work on "North American Shore Birds," writes: "It 

 passes nearly all its time on the ground, walks and runs with 

 ease and considerable grace, and is constantly in motion, utter- 

 ing its plaintive cry, which resembles syllables which form its 

 trivial name. It likes to linger around pools and the banks of 

 streams, and feeds upon worms, insects, larvae, and small Crus- 

 tacea, and is often seen running over ploughed ground in search 

 of^ whatever insects may have been disclosed in the upturned 

 soil. While usually rather tame and gentle, it nevertheless re- 

 sents man's appearance on its territory, and continually utters 

 its complaining note, running before him, stopping to take 

 observations, or flying short distances. When on the wing it is 

 a beautiful object, the clear, harmonious-contrasting colours of 

 its plumage making it very attractive to watch, as on firm wings 

 it circles around in easy flight. In autumn it is often most 

 numerous near the sea-shore, but I do not remember ever to 

 have seen it actually on the beach. Walking quietly over the 

 meadows or fields thinking nothing of birds, and none being 

 in sight, one is often startled by this Plover rising suddenly from 

 almost beneath one's feet, with frequent repetitions of its shrill 

 cry, the last syllable sounded in rapid succession— ^^d', ^(?^ deea'ee 

 —as though it had no time, in its excitement, to utter the full 

 sound, kill-dee. At such times it flies often in an erratic course 

 for quite a distance, and low over the ground, as if to entice its 

 disturber to follow it, and acts as if its nest was near, although 

 the breeding season may have long since passed. It is a noisy 

 bird, and serves on many occasions as a sentinel, and gives 

 alarm to other species not so watchful of approaching danger. 

 On this account it is not looked upon with favour by sports- 

 men, who may be endeavouring, with well-executed whistling, 

 to lure other waders to their place of concealment. Like the 

 Golden Plover and others of the tribe, it frequently stands 

 motionless watching the object of its suspicions, and then run- 

 ning quietly away or rising with shrill cries, informing every 



