'S92..1 Mackay on the Black-bellied Plover. 



151 



are well calculated, under ordiuary circumstances, to avoid 

 danger; they succumb only to those sportsmen who have served a 

 long apprenticeship, and who have acquired a knowledge of 

 their habits. 



There is something very aristocratic in the bearing of the 

 adult birds as you watch them standing on the marsh with their 

 heads erect, their black and white plumage strikingly defined, and 

 their large, dark, liquid eyes ever on the alert for danger. With 

 the yellowish green marsh grass for a background, they make a 

 most interesting study in black and white, which, coupled with 

 that clear, penetrating note of alarm when danger is discovered, 

 cannot fail to impress one. I have known the old birds in the 

 spring fairly to scream with terror on suddenly perceiving my close 

 proximity as I arose from my sunken hogshead to shoot at 

 them. 



To my old friend Mr. Augustus Denton I am indebted for a 

 considerable share of the following notes, given me in 1S77, which 

 are for Cape Cod, Massachusetts, unless otherwise stated. I con- 

 sider them especially serviceable in giving a verv good idea of 

 the spring migration of the Black-bellied Plover northward, as 

 well as indicating their great regularity of movement. 



1842, Maj24, 25.— A great many birds having collected on Tucl^er- 

 nuck Island, Mass., three men shot one hundred and twenty on the former, 

 and one hundred and fifty on the latter, date. These were noted records 

 even in those days. 



1843. — A great many birds on Tuckernuck Island in the spring; a 

 great many were killed. 



1S58, May 28. — First birds shot. 



1858) June 8. — Last birds shot. Aug. 6, shot a few birds. 



1859 and i860. —Practically the same as 1S5S without August date. 



1861, May 27. — First birds shot. None killed in June. Shot five be- 

 tween Oct. I and 27 at Marblehead Neck, Mass. 



1862, — Very few birds. 



1863, May 25. — First birds shot; good shooting until June 6. 



1864, May 28. — First birds shot; good shooting until June 8. A few 

 birds killed in August. 



1865, May 26. —First birds shot; abundant until June 5. A fair 

 amount of birds in August; shot 30 at Wellfleet, Cape Cod. 



1566. — Only a few scattering birds this spring. Shot one Sept. 29 

 at Rockport, Mass. 



1567, May 27. — First birds shot; most numerous between the 29th and 

 31st; good shooting until June 7. 



