252 Nichols and Harper, Long Island Shore Birds. [j^^ 



however, is a number of Tui-nstones keeping some Blackbreasts company, 

 and following them when the larger birds fly off. We have observed Robin 

 Snipe, too, associating with them. When one approaches a feeding ground 

 where several different species of the commoner shore birds are present, 

 the Blackbreasts can generally be depended upon to take flight first and 

 farthest from the intruder. 



They do not wade in the water so habitually as they run leisurely over 

 the bare flats. On August 24, 1912, however, a pair took us unawares 

 by alighting in a couple of inches of water among our decoys at East Pond, 

 Hicks Beach. One of the birds was changing to winter plumage, but the 

 other was still in nearly full summer dress. They displayed only a little 

 uneasiness while so close to the blind, and though taking their departure 

 after a few moments, they settled again on a mud-bar 50 yards away, where 

 they permitted several long-range photographs from an unconcealed posi- 

 tion. The black axillars, which will distinguish this species in any plumage 

 from the Golden Plover, were caught by the camera as one of the birds 

 raised its wings to the fullest extent (Plate XIII). 



During this same month, while standing on the open mansh near Free- 

 port, we answered the call of an adult Blackbelly that came flying in our 

 direction. As if recognizing at that instant the dangerous objects ahead, 

 it shot suddenly downward, swerving sharply from its line of flight, some- 

 what in the manner of a frightened Oxeye. Nevertheless it circled round 

 and round us for the better part of a minute, continually responding to 

 whistled imitations of its melodious notes. It often exhibits this habit 

 of circling when the sportsman in a blind endeavors to lure it within range. 

 Like the Ringneck, it is apt to hover for a moment over the stool in passing 

 by. It is strong and swift on the wing, and its flight is steadier than that 

 of most of our shore birds. 



The Blackbelly's trisyllabic whistle, pee-oooo-eee, is uttered when the 

 bird is either on the wing or on the ground, and may be heard from afar. 

 It seems perfectly expressive of the bird's wildness and freedom, and is 

 altogether one of the finest sounds of the Long Island coast. The first 

 note, when heard close at hand, has a peculiarly shrill and buzzing quality, 

 but this quality is greatly mellowed by distance. There can be little 

 doubt that the chief accent falls upon this note, though some writers place 

 it upon the second, which is the most prolonged of the three notes. The 

 second and third syllables are nearly alike in tone, and the transition from 

 the one to the other is not at all marked, so that the final syllable now and 

 then appears to be omitted. Another whistle, not quite so frequently 

 heard, is a mellow kloo-ooo, or koo-wee, with perhaps a slight accent on the 

 second syllable. It seems to be a call of contentment or sociability, and 

 is commonly uttered on a flight of short duration. On several occasions 

 we have heard a small party of these plovers, before or while taking wing, 

 utter a few low, guttural notes, quite unlike their usual whistles; they 

 seemed to be given as calls of attention or warning. 



iEgialitis semipalmata. Semipalmated Plover; Ringneck. — 



