THE AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER 79 



of the marsh are many acres of hay fields. One 

 season some twenty acres of this was turned 

 over and the brown mold laid bare to the sun 

 and rain. During all that fall not a passing 

 flock of ''Goldens" but would stop and make 

 a call there. More were killed in that one 

 season in that place than in the five together 

 preceding it. When a flock arrived they would 

 quarter the ground, wheeling here and there 

 in erratic flight, until satisfied that all was safe, 

 then finding a suitable place would suddenly 

 alight and scatter at once to feed. 



Their beautiful dark eyes are full and soft, 

 of remarkable size and brilliancy for a shore 

 bird. The head, like that of the last species, is 

 large, and the forehead is equally bulging and 

 prominent, rising at a sharp angle from the bill. 

 The call is a mellow piping note, flute-like and 

 clear, and while not so powerful as many an- 

 other bay bird produces, has great carrying 

 qualities and is heard much farther than would 

 be thought. With a little practice the gunner 

 may easily imitate it — a great assistance to- 

 ward filling his game bag, for they decoy well 

 and come readily to a skillful call. Altogether 

 the Golden Plover is a fine bird from the bay 



