366 THE PLOVERS 



plover is more often found inland than on the coast, but the flocks 

 are ever ready to shift on the approach of stormy weather, and a frost 

 sufficient to bind the ground will drive them to the shore, where 

 they feed at low water on the sands. Professor Patten has repeatedly 

 seen flocks detach themselves into small parties as the tide rises and 

 covers their feeding-grounds, and again congregate as the sands are 

 laid bare. 1 



Inland they frequent cultivated land and pastures, and are often 

 especially numerous on the rich grass-lands in the " washes " of the 

 fens. They may be seen feeding in company with lapwings, and, like 

 this species take a siesta in the middle of the day. If approached 

 when feeding or resting in a field, they at once exhibit a wary restless- 

 ness, stretching their wings above their backs, running towards each 

 other, stopping to look anxiously around, running again, until all are 

 gathered into one fairly dense pack. Whether they rise simultan- 

 eously, or, as is more often the case, in straggling sections, they soon 

 mass and wheel off with military precision. Their wings seem almost 

 to touch, but they move with such uniformity that, however abruptly 

 the direction of flight may be changed in the amazing evolutions they 

 perform, there is not the slightest break or sign of disorder. Rising 

 to a great height, the ranks spread out, forming a large oval cloud of 

 birds, close in again to a dense dark mass, or stream out into undulat- 

 ing or Y-shaped line, but all in most perfect order. When about to 

 alight they sweep to and fro in rhythmical curves, gradually nearing 

 the ground, and often, as if half changing their minds as to where they 

 wish to alight, swing round the field, and then come to ground with 

 almost surprising suddenness. If intent on feeding, they commence 

 running at once, spreading over the ground in open order, busily 

 working along with alternating runs and halts, in true plover fashion. 

 But even plovers cannot always be feeding, and sometimes they may 

 be seen to remain standing where they pitch, all looking in one direc- 

 tion for such time as to weary the patience of a watcher, who sees 



1 Aquatic Birds, p. 226. 



