2l6 THE BOOK OF MIGRATORY BIRDS 



or, when they are within range, has no difficulty in killing 

 from twelve to twenty at a shot. Not unfrequently, too, 

 when some members of a flock have been killed or wounded, 

 the remainder, before they remove out of danger, wheel 

 round and sweep just over the heads of their ill-fated 

 companions, as if for the purpose of inquiring the reason 

 why they have deserted the party, or of alluring them to 

 join it once more. 



This habit is not peculiar to plovers, but may be noticed 

 in the case of several of the seaside waders, as Dunlins and 

 Sanderlings. 



In severe winter weather they desert the meadows, in 

 which the worms have descended into the ground, beyond 

 the reach of frost, and so of their bills, and resort to the 

 muddy or sandy sea-shore. In the Hebrides it is said that 

 they do not migrate at all, but simply content themselves 

 with shifting from the moors to the shore and back again, 

 according to the weather. 



In the northern parts of France, on the other hand, they 

 are only known as passengers on their way to the south. 

 From making their appearance in the rainy season they 

 are often called "pluviers," whence our name plover, 

 which, however, is supposed by some to have been given 

 to them for their indicating by their movements coming 

 changes in the weather, in which respect indeed their skill 

 is marvellous. 



The Golden Plover, sometimes called also Yellow 

 Plover, and Green Plover, is found at various seasons in 

 most countries of Europe ; but the golden plovers of Asia 

 and America are considered to be different species. 



An interesting duel between a plover and a magpie, and 

 afterwards between the same plover and a terrier, was 

 witnessed recently at Ponthis, near Newport. The plover, 

 whose nest had been attacked by the magpie, defended it 

 pluckily, at times literally screaming with rage, and the 

 intruder being ultimately driven off. In the second contest 

 a terrier wandered in the vicinity of the nest, but the plover 

 swooped down and pecked viciously at its neck. The 



