208 SKETCHES OF BIRD LIFE. 



on which they instantly swept down, almost per- 

 pendicularly, within three or four yards of the 

 ground. My companion ran forward in the greatest 

 delight, to pick up, as he expected, the entire flock, 

 when, to his utter amazement, they all resumed 

 their former mode of flight, and quickly disappeared 

 in the distance." 



Towards the end of March or beginning of 

 April, the large flocks break up, and smaller parties 

 may be observed moving northwards again towards 

 their breeding haunts. About this time sundry 

 black feathers make their appearance on the throat 

 and breast, giving indications of that remarkable 

 change from winter to summer plumage, when the 

 underparts, from being pure white, become jet-black. 



We shall not easily forget the first occasion on 

 which we met with the Golden Plover in summer 

 plumage. 



Walking, in the middle of May, over a wild 

 moor in Northumberland, where the eye rested 

 on nothing but heather and sky, we were watching 

 the circling flight of a Curlew, and wondering 

 whether we could find the nest. Suddenly we 

 were almost startled by a soft, clear whistle, which 



