KILDEER PLOVER. 331 



twenty of these birds, almost from under his feet, 

 before unseen, but now manifesting their presence 

 by the shrillest cries, as they wheel swiftly round 

 in a large circle, alighting near the spot whence 

 they arose. In winter great numbers flock to the 

 stony plains, which flying in a dense body afford 

 a fair mark to the sportsman, by whom their flesh 

 is esteemed. The majority of these birds seem to 

 be merely winter visitants, but a few certainly do 

 remain with us through the summer. Robinson says, 

 they lay their eggs among the stones near the rivulets. 

 One which was shot and wounded in the wing I 

 introduced to the doves, in a large packing-case, the 

 front of which was removed, and replaced by gauze. 

 Immediately on being put in, it began vigorously 

 charging at the gauze, as if it had no idea of any 

 impediment there, running backward a little way, 

 and then dashing at it ; and this without an instant's 

 intermission, now and then leaping up, and uttering 

 its wild cry. For a few minutes its impetuous 

 motions seemed to stupify all the doves, who gazed 

 in astonishment ; but presently a young Bald-pate, 

 who occupied one of the front corners, a very cross 

 and surly fellow, began to peck and beat the little 

 Plover, driving him about the cage without mercy. 

 I had been struck at the first entry of the bird 

 with its remarkable height, owing to the length of 

 the tarsi, and the upright, bold attitude in which 

 it stood. At length to escape the persecutions of 

 the Bald -pate, it suddenly squatted down in one 

 of the back corners, bringing the tarsi flat on the 

 ground, and the tibiae on them, so that I was now 



