^"'iDlO^'"] Hexshaw, Migration of the Pacific Plover. 257 



pelago, with the chain of low islands and sand spits to the northwest 

 afford a reasonable chance for a successful landfall, since unitedly 

 they stretch away in a very thin line for some 2200 miles. More- 

 over the islands are close enough together so that migrants high in 

 air would not be likely to miss them by passing between. Flocks 

 that chance to get to the eastward of Hawaii, however, are probably 

 doomed, since they would have to fly another thousand miles or so 

 before finding islets on which to rest. The Marquesas group, the 

 first islands of size to the south of Hawaii, is about 2000 miles away, 

 or about 4000 miles from the Aleutians, and it is more than doubtful 

 if even the strong winged plover could fly 4000 miles without rest 

 and food and survive the trip. That many of the migrating shore- 

 birds actually perish at sea admits of no doubt. 



In this connection it is of interest to note that in the few instances 

 in which island migrants have been sighted when near their journey's 

 end, going or coming, they exhibit fatigue, and usually evince a 

 strong desire to board passing vessels. The incident noted by 

 Dr. Mearns has been cited. Other instances were reported to me 

 by the captains of two island bound barks who sighted several small 

 flocks of plover during the last days of September, 1900, when from 

 200-400 miles off Hilo. These birds appeared much fatigued and 

 exhibited a strong desire to board the ships, especially uhen their 

 calls were imitated. 



E. W. Nelson, however, while on the 'Corwin,' October, 1881, 

 saw a small party of plover about midway between the Alaska 

 Peninsula and the Hawaiian Islands. These birds were headed 

 directly for the islands and they flew swiftly on their course, showing 

 no signs either of uncertainty or of fatigue. 



Moults of the Pacific Golden Plover. — • It is of interest to note 

 that in fall this plover migrates before it moults; in spring it 

 moults before it migrates. The first birds to reach the archipelago 

 in August are, as stated, adults, and while they are practically in 

 full breeding dress they begin to moult into the winter dress almost 

 at once. The moulting season for the species is long, and many 

 individuals, doubtless birds of the year, may be found the last of 

 December still moulting into the fall and winter dress. By the 

 middle of February numerous individuals are already beginning to 

 moult a second time and to assume the distinctive nuptial plumage, 



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