SEMI-PALMATED PLOVER. 65 



ing the strand at low water. In general, when not too eagerly 

 hunted, they are but little suspicious, and may readily be 

 approached by the fowler, as well as detained sometimes by 

 whistling in imitation of their quailing call. On most occa- 

 sions, and when flushed, they utter a reiterated, sharp, twitter- 

 ing, and wild note, very much in unison with the ceaseless 

 echoes of the breaking surge and the lashing of the waves, 

 near which they almost perpetually course, gliding and run- 

 ning with great agility before the retiring or advancing waters. 

 Their flesh is commonly fat and well flavored, and in early 

 autumn they are not uncommon in the markets of Boston and 

 New York. 



These pretty and interesting birds are abundant throughout the 

 United States during both the spring and the autumn migrations ; 

 but excepting an occasional pair that are found in Maine, none 

 breed south of the Canadian boundary. Dr. Louis B. Bishop 

 reported numbers breeding on the Magdalen Islands, in 1888, and 

 the birds are abundant during the summer on the coast of Labra- 

 dor. In winter they range into South America, many going as far 

 as Brazil and Peru. 



VOL. n. — s 



