86 FEATHERED GAME 



There are several species of this family 

 found in our territory, but the Semipalmated 

 Plover is the usual victim in a game bag. The 

 Belted Piping Plover is less common, and rar- 

 est of all in New England is Wilson's Plover 

 which occasionally strays here from his warmer 

 range. It is barely possible that the Snowy 

 Plover, {Aegialitis nivosa) a western bird, may 

 visit us at times. 



Along our sea beaches — the outer ones which 

 are not so much frequented by human kind — 

 in August and the first half of September their 

 flocks are happily feeding, running nimbly 

 about, chasing each receding wave with tire- 

 less feet, and as rapidly retreating before each 

 incoming comber. They are apparently a 

 happy and good-natured little company, never 

 quarreling nor wrangling among themselves, 

 and, unfortunately for their own safety, are 

 only too willing to investigate if they hear a 

 neighbor's call. The gunner need not be very 

 carefully hidden if he can imitate their note, as 

 small bunches are almost certain to come in and 

 give him a chance as they are skimming past. 

 However, few sportsmen disturb their peace. 



