PIPING PLOVER 



HAVE you ever been to the sea-shore? Then, of 

 course, you have met the Piping Plover, but, per- 

 haps, not to know him. He is of the size of the robin, not 

 quite so robust, but stands much taller, being mounted on 

 rather long, stilt-like legs, which admirably fit him for the 

 life which he is designed to fill in the world. He belongs to 

 the family of wading birds, and seeks the principal part of 

 his food in or by the water, which could not possibly be were 

 his walking appendages curtailed the least bit of their fair 

 proportions. But to be more precise in my word-picture, 

 let me describe him to you as of a pale ashy-brown color, 

 fading into grayish upon the under parts, and as having his 

 head set off with some narrow black bands, that on the neck 

 rarely, if ever, forming a perfect ring. His bill will be found 

 to be short and stout and blunt, and there will be an appre- 

 ciable lack of webbing between the middle and inner front 

 toes. 



Now that it is plain what the bird looks like, you are cer- 

 tainly prepared, more than ever, to take some interest in him 

 in his brief stay by the sea. So strongly is he attached to 

 the scenes rendered dear by past associations and memories 

 that, from his winter home in the sunny South, and even from 

 over the waters beyond our southern borders, he hails with 

 delight the return of the vernal equinox, for he knows full 

 well that it brings with it the summer's heat and all its varied, 

 priceless wealth of insect life. 



So with the first spring signs of open weather he quits his 

 brumal retreat, winds his way up along the trend of the 



