212 THE Birps Axsout US. 
arctic circle, and return southward in August, when 
they are objects of much interest to the sportsman. 
The first named keep principally along the sea-coast, 
and are rare in the far West. Occasionally they ap- 
pear in fields in our river valleys, and then may be 
readily mistaken for the Golden Plover, as their move- 
ments and flight are quite alike. Its voice, however, is 
more shrill and chattering than that of the other large 
plover, which, known generally as the “ Bull-head,” 
appears pretty regularly in the Middle States about 
September 1, and remains for three or four weeks. 
Occasionally a large flock will settle in a field and 
remain for several days, or until the gunners find 
them out, which usually is soon after their arrival, for 
their whistle is only too well known, and they have 
not learned the wisdom of keeping quiet. When 
feeding they appear to have sentinels posted about, 
for the alarm-cry is sure to be heard as you approach, 
and it requires a great deal of patience to get within 
gunshot,—that is, when these birds have come inland. 
On the immediate sea-coast they are watchful, but 
not as difficult to approach. 
The Semi-palmated Plover is a smaller, strictly 
migratory form that nests north of the United States. 
There are found in the Middle States in summer, 
especially on the sea-coast, and at times along our 
rivers, two beautiful little plovers, known as the 
“Piping” and “ Wilson’s.” The former reaches us 
about April, and in flocks of a few individuals run 
about the sand on the sea-shore in a most lively 
manner and utter a variety of cries that are all more 
or less pleasing, blending as they do with the roar 
