2o6 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



shifting their ground. On this account it is said 

 that the specific name of pluvialis has been applied 

 to the bird, and, in some parts of the country where 

 it is common, persons profess to foretell the weather 

 by watching the movements of the flocks. So long 

 as the weather remains fine and open these birds 

 are uncommonly wary, but a dull, rainy day seems 

 to take away all their energy, and they sit huddled 

 together, with their heads drawn in between their 

 shoulders, looking at a little distance more like 

 inanimate clods of earth than birds. As on these 

 occasions they are more easily approached, the 

 most successful shots we ever made at Golden 

 Plover were always obtained on a wet day ; and it 

 would seem, therefore, as if there were good reason 

 for the saying that the bird is called pluvier in 

 France, "parct-qiion le prend mieux en temps 

 pluvieux quen nulle autre saison" 



" There is, in shooting Plover, a common remark 

 made by sportsmen, that the second is always the 

 most productive barrel. The rapidity with which 

 they vary their position when on the ground seldom 

 admits of a grand combination for a sitting, or 

 rather a running, shot. But when on the wing 



