58 WADING BIRDS. 



begin to disperse as the sun rises, and at length disappear high 

 in the air for the season. They usually associate, however, in 

 small flocks and families, and when alarmed, while on the wing, 

 or giving their call to those who are feeding around them, they 

 have a wild, shrill, and whistling note, and are at most times 

 timid, watchful, and difficult to approach. Though they con- 

 tinue associated in numbers for common safety during the day, 

 they disperse in the evening, and repose apart from each 

 other. At day-break, however, the feeling of solitude again 

 returns, and the early sentinel no sooner gives the shrill and 

 well-known call than they all assemble in their usual company. 

 At this time they are often caught in great numbers by the 

 fowler, with the assistance of a clap-net stretched, before 

 dawn, in front of the place they have selected to pass the night. 

 The fowlers, now surrounding the spot, prostrate themselves on 

 the ground when the call is heard ; and as soon as the birds are 

 collected together, they rise up from ambush, and by shouts 

 and the throwing up of sticks in the air, succeed so far in 

 intimidating the Plovers that they lower their flight, and thus 

 striking against the net, it falls upon them. In this and most 

 other countries their flesh, in the autumn, and particularly that 

 of the young birds, is esteemed as a delicacy, and often exposed 

 for sale in the markets of the principal towns. 



The Golden Plover is common, and in some localities abundant, 

 in the autumn along the shores of New England and the Maritime 

 Provinces, but in the spring migrations it is rarely or never seen. 



Dr. Wheaton found it abundant in the spring, and common in 

 the fall, in Ohio ; but some observers in Ontario consider it a rare 

 bird in that province. 



Note. — The European Golden Plover (^Charadrius apri- 

 cariiis) has been seen occasionally in Greenland. 



