86 FEATHERED GAME 



There are several species of this family 

 found in our territory, but the Semipalmated 

 Plover is the usual victim in a game bag. The 

 Belted Piping Plover is less common, and rar- 

 est of all in New England is Wilson's Plover 

 which occasionally strays here from his warmer 

 range. It is barely possible that the Snowy 

 Plover, (Aegialitis nivosa) a western bird, may 

 visit us at times. 



Along our sea beaches the outer ones which 

 are not so much frequented by human kind 

 in August and the first half of September their 

 flocks are happily feeding, running nimbly 

 about, chasing each receding wave with tire- 

 less feet, and as rapidly retreating before each 

 incoming comber. They are apparently a 

 happy and good-natured little company, never 

 quarreling nor wrangling among themselves, 

 and, unfortunately for their own safety, are 

 only too willing to investigate if they hear a 

 neighbor's call. The gunner need not be very 

 carefully hidden if he can imitate their note, as 

 small bunches are almost certain to come in and 

 give him a chance as they are skimming past. 

 However, few sportsmen disturb their peace, 



