I 8 MaCKAY 071 the (!ol(fcH Plover. [):iiUKiry 



allowed to remain undisturbed on alighting, and the first comers 

 called down others that were passing ; they thus became ac- 

 customed and attached to certain localities, and as a rule re- 

 mained in varying numbers on the Island of Nantucket until late 

 into November. As many of the same birds doubtless pass over 

 the same ground year after year, they naturally shun the localities 

 where they have been harassed, and becoming leaders of the mi- 

 gratory flocks, do not stop unless compelled by stress of weather. 

 Of late years it has become quite evident that they have no inten- 

 tion of stopping on the New England coast after leaving Nova 

 Scotia, as their course is considerably outside of it (two hundred 

 miles or more) . Their presence here, therefore, is purely the 

 result of tempestuous weather, as the occurrence of south-easterly 

 or north-easterly storms, thunder and lightning with rain, or thick 

 fog with a south-west wind, while they are on their passage, by which 

 they are driven fiom their course, confused, and deflected to the 

 westward ; in which event they pass along the New England 

 coast, and over the outlying islands and promontories. They are 

 then eargerly pursued and many killed. 



When in Massachusetts they frequent the extensive marshes, 

 and the large tract known as the common pasture near Newbury- 

 port ; on Ca[)e Cod they seem to prefer the long reach of sandy 

 hills, old fields where the grass is short and the vegetation scanty, 

 sand flats left by the receding tide, ploughed fields, and any burnt 

 tracts whicli are clear of trees and bushes. On Nantucket Island 

 they mostly prefer the south and west poi'tions of the Island, where 

 there are extensive and undulating plains interspersed with 

 fresh ponds. It is here that I have particularly obseived C. do- 

 mi/iiciis during the past sixteen years. When on the ground they 

 run rapidly and gracefully, and soon scatter on alighting. After 

 running a few yards they suddenly stop, hold the head erect, and 

 look around, all the movements being very quick. In feeding, 

 they seem to strike at the object with a motion that reminds one 

 of a Loon or Grebe commencing to dive. 



Various authorities state that along the Atlantic coast the food 

 of the Golden Plover consists principally of grasshoppers, on 

 which tliey become very fat. I can only say, in answer to this 

 statement, that in my experience I have never seen them eat any, 

 and I hav'^e watched them when on the ground quite near, as 

 well as through a strong a field glass. I have also examined 



