298 THE WILD-FOWLER. 



wild-fowl frequenting- inland waters, except the duck and mallard, 

 were so termed ; for he sings — 



" The duck and mallard first, the falconer's only sport 

 (Of river-flights the chief, so that all other sort 

 They only green fowl term), in every mere abound, 

 That you would think they sate upon the very ground." 



The golden plover C Charadrius pluvialis^ is esteemed a bird of 

 choice delicacy for the table, and is therefore well deserving the 

 sportsman's pains to bring it to bag. The grey plover ( Squatarola 

 cinerea) is scarcely less inferior in flavour, and affords equal sport in 

 certain seasons of the year. The pewit, or lapwing ( Tringa vanel- 

 lus) is also a species of plover, though far inferior, as a table- 

 delicacy, to the others. 



Plovers are generally found in small congregations, by the river- 

 side, about marshes and salt-water plains. They are very distrustful, 

 but their flight is graceful and rapid. When plovers are observed on 

 the wing, the sportsman should remain perfectly still. They may 

 then very probably pass within shot; but they are at all times shy 

 and difficult of access. The best means of getting at them by land 

 is by lying in ambush behind a bank or mound, in the direction they 

 are known to take in their flights ; and then, by sending a boy round 

 to put them up, a shot or two may be had as they pass over. 



The instant plovers take alarm at any object on the land, when 

 flying over or when fired at, they dart down suddenly in their 

 flight, towards the ground ; and then, rising in the air, scatter them- 

 selves in every possible direction, dodging and flitting about in such 

 a manner as to try the skill of the most practised sportsman. 



They are fond of associating in small parties : a solitary plover 

 always shrieks and whistles as if the most unhappy bii*d on the moor. 

 At such a time, the sportsman who can mimic their call-note may 

 assuredly decoy the bird within gun-shot, if himself in a place of 

 concealment ; but it can seldom be done otherwise, except in foggy 

 weather. Rather than remain by itself, a plover will seek the society 

 of other birds, as oxbirds, godwits, and sandpipers. 



The punter who pursues his sport on inland waters, sometimes 

 meets with very inviting shots at these birds, more particularly if in 

 the locality of a tidal river and oozes. 



I have killed large numbers of them at a shot, with my punt-gun ; 

 and I once saw two piinters approach a mixed congregation com- 



