BIRDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 359 



to force out the worm from his burrow, but when grasshoppers 

 are to be had, they appear to be the plover's favorite food. 

 They assemble in such immense flocks, that on one occasion, 

 when Audubon accompanied some French gunners from New 

 Orleans to shoot them, one man killed sixty-three dozens in the 

 course of the day. When they are about taking their depar- 

 ture, they assemble in large flocks in the morning, though they 

 rest apart from each other at night ; and at such times, they 

 are caught in great numbers in nets, which they are driven 

 into by creating a panic among them. No difl'erence can be 

 detected between this and the golden plover of Europe ; it is 

 doubtless the same with the bird so abundant in the Hebrides, 

 and found in most parts of the known world. 



The Piping Plover, Charadrius melodus, so called from its 

 pleasant, though plaintive note, is found along our whole coast 

 in summer. They spend the winter on the shores of the 

 southern states. In the spring they proceed to the eastward in 

 pairs ; if they find a suitable breeding place on the way, they 

 alight and take possession, and as they are soon joined by oth- 

 ers, they soon form a considerable party. In autumn, they 

 move in flocks of twenty or thirty, always keeping near the 

 shore. Its flight is strong and rapid, but it is more remarkable 

 for its swiftness in running, which is so great, that it eludes 

 the eye, and reposes quietly on the sand, which it so much re- 

 sembles that it has no fear of being detected. I have no infor- 

 mation of its nest having been found in our State, but it can 

 hardly be that it should breed so far on each side of us, and 

 yet pass us by. The piping plover is valued as game, but the 

 sportsman generally gives his attention to birds of larger size. 



Wilson's Plover, Charadrius Wilsonius, a species resem- 

 bling the preceding, and named in honor of the great ornitholo- 

 gist, is a constant resident in the southern states, but was sup- 

 posed never to come farther to the east than Long Island. 

 Audubon thought it strange that its range should be so limited, 

 compared with that of the piping plover. I am, however, in- 



