ICO Mack AY on the Black-bellied Plover. f April 



The Bhick-bcUied Plover fly lower on migration, I think, 

 than do the American Golden Plover, and the flocks string out 

 more, a customary mode of flight being in lines; they also fly 

 like Ducks and Geese at such times. They are apt to fly in 

 lines also when coming from the sand flats to and over the 

 marshes. 



I have noticed in the autumn that the young birds generally ap- 

 pear in pairs or singly. I never have observed more than a few 

 together, and they are seemingly rather solitary at this season. 

 They also show a preference for the sandy shores and margins 

 of ponds near the ocean, often frequenting the crest of the beach. 

 As a rule they like to be where the sand is wet. They roost on 

 the dry crest of the beaches and on shoals. 



When on the ground they usually run very fast for four or five 

 yards, then stop, elevate tlie head, and look around. They strike 

 at the object they are going to pick up and eat with a very 

 quick motion. In the spring when passing from their feeding 

 grounds on the sand flats and over the marshes they fly low and 

 swiftly, apparently always on the alert, often turning on their 

 sides so as to show the whole of the breast. It is customary for 

 them to approach the marshes from the leeward side. It is not 

 an uncommon occurrence for them to remain on the marshes 

 during low water, instead of going to the flats, which indicates 

 that they obtain considerable of their food in such places. 



They make two notes, one a call which is very clear and far- 

 reaching, of several notes with the accent on the second one, and 

 plaintive and mellow ; the other is low, and is uttered when they 

 feel easy and contented. It is customary for them to remain silent 

 when a number are standing together. They will not always I'e- 

 spond to the call-whistle of the sportsman, or come to the decoys, 

 even if he be well concealed ; and even when leading up to the de- 

 coys, they do not come in closely flying flocks, but are much 

 scattered and strung out in line, so that while some may be near 

 enough to shoot, there will be others out of range. The reason 

 is the older birds are more wary and suspicious, the adults, as 

 far as my experience shows, being invariably shy. One must lie 

 close and have all the immediate surroundings perfectly natural 

 about the place of concealment in order to get them up to 

 the decoys ; and after many unsuccessful attempts to capture 

 them one becomes imbued with the fact that the old birds 



