38 



JOURNAL OF MAINE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 



of rocks first mentioned, we notice a 

 number of larger birds. One or two 

 are standing like sentinels on the high- 

 est pinnacle of the point, while others 

 suspiciously watch us from the inequal- 

 ities of the rocks, some with only their 

 heads exposed. 



By their large heads and short bills 

 we recognize them to be the Black-bellied 

 Plover (Charadrius squatarola.) known 

 to sportsmen as Beetle-heads. At this 

 time of year one is seldom seen in its 

 adult plumage of light mottled back and 

 head, and black under parts, which 

 would at once identify it to the most 

 careless observer. But now all look 

 alike in their brownish grey coat. 



When within perhaps one hundred 

 yards of them, first one and then another 

 of those which have watched us from 

 among the rocks manifest their un- 

 easiness b}' mounting the small pin- 

 nacles of rock to watch us more closely 

 as we approach. Suddenly they take 

 alarm, and with loud, plaintive whistles 

 take wing" in a rapid straggling manner, 

 to again alight a long distance away on 

 some other point, or on the beach near 

 high tide limit. 



Under the same environments we may 

 see another flock of birds, smaller than 

 the former, but acting much the same. 

 These are feeding on the slope of the 

 point near the edge of the surf. Their 

 heads are much smaller than the former, 

 and while watching us are stretched 

 forward while those of the former were 

 held erect. 



I have often found them feeding on 

 such points as described, but more often 

 they are to be found on the small rocky 

 islets some distance from the shore. 



We know these birds to be the Turn- 

 stone (Arenaria interpres) from their 



habits, as we watch them, of turning 

 over small stones with their bills for 

 food which may be under them. 



As they take wing we at once see by 

 the strikingly varigated colors of the 

 adults why the appelation of Calico- 

 Back has been given them by the sports- 

 men. 



The tide has now comn)enced to rise 

 and we turn our attention to a different 

 feeding ground. 



Returning across the beach we con- 

 tinue our walk in behind the sand 

 dunes. Here a large expanse of marsh 

 appears to view, intersected here and 

 there with small creeks which serve to 

 di'ain the water which inundates the 

 marsh each day according to the varia- 

 tion of the tides. The ground is cover- 

 ed with a rank growth of grass peculiar 

 to this kind of soil, dotted here and 

 there with small shallow ponds inter- 

 spersed with spots of barren soil afford- 

 ing feeding grounds for the different 

 species which frequent such places. 



The sun is now far down in the west, 

 while the shadows from surrounding 

 hills lend their softening influence to the 

 scene. On the surface of a small pond, 

 its margin dotted here and there with 

 small tufts of grass are to be seen the 

 reflections of a large number of small 

 birds standing motionless upon small 

 knolls of turf which rise above the wet- 

 ter ground. So closely do their colors 

 blend with the surroundings that we 

 would not have seen them were it not 

 for their reflections. 



Approaching close to them, some raise 

 their heads from the hunched position 

 in which they have been standing gazing 

 stupidly at us. As we advance a few 

 steps nearer, one or more take a few 

 quick steps and pause, while others peck 



