iS92-J Mack AY on the Black-bcllicd Plover. 1 49 



heard of the Bhick-bcUieil Plover appearinq; in the spring were 

 May 6, 8, and I3. They are most abundant about the 3oth 

 of May and for a few days after, according to weather condi- 

 tions; by the end of the Hrst week in June they have all departed 

 north. In the spring, when migrating north, they seem to ap- 

 pear on warm pleasant days when the wind is fair. Head 

 winds are likely to arrest their Bight until favorable conditions 

 again prevail. 



From notes taken by a friend near Port Royal, South Caro- 

 lina, I gather that some birds pass north from the last week in 

 April to the middle of May, when the movement ceases ; on 

 their return from the north they are seen at the above place 

 from the middle of August until the end of October going south, 

 but they never have been what might bo called numerous at 

 either season, according to his experience. 



I have heard of but one instance when these birds have been 

 taken during the winter in New England. Mr. S. Hall Barrett 

 of Maiden, Mass., shot three in December, 1S72, at Gravel Island, 

 Monomoy, Cape Cod. They were all black breasted birds with 

 whitish heads. It was thought at the time tliat they were 

 spending the winter in this locality, as they had been seen a 

 number of times previous to their being killed. This gentleman 

 has also shot the Red-backed »Sandpiper ( Trhiga alpina pa- 

 cijica) in March in New England. 



In migrating south in the autumn the Black-bellied Plovers pass 

 inland through New England to a greater or less extent. I have 

 in mind an instance when I shot nine about the end of October, 

 (S65, at Missisquoi Bay, Lake Champlain, in northern Ver- 

 Tjont, near the boundary line of Canada. The weather was 

 cold, and there was a fall of snow during the first week in 

 November. I also saw others. The water in the lake at this 

 time was quite low and there were considerable sandy margins 

 and points exposed suitable for the birds' requirements. I 

 learned, on inquiry, that, when this low stage of water pre- 

 vailed in the lake, many of the water birds were not uncom- 

 mon visitants at this season. At the same time that I shot the 

 nine Black-bellied Plover above mentioned I also obtained Wil- 

 lets {Symphcmia semipalmata)., Greater Yellowlegs {Toianus 

 melanoleiicus) ^ and |Peeps. 



