94 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



changed by difference of climate ; the former appears to me tho 

 most probable opinion of the two. 



" These birds abound in the meadows and low grounds along 

 our large rivers, particularly those that border the Schuylkill and 

 Delaware, from the 10th of March to the middle of April, and 

 sometimes later, and are eagerly sought after by our gunners. 

 The nature of the grounds, however, which these birds fre- 

 quent, the coldness of the season, and peculiar shyness and 

 agility of the game, renders this amusement attractive only to 

 the most dexterous, active, and eager of our sportsmen." — 

 Wilson's Am. Ornithology. 



The last of what may be called the purely Upland game 

 birds of North America, is that commonly known as the Up- 

 land Plover, also called the Frost Bird and Grass Plover, from 

 the places which it frequents, and the periods at which it is 

 found in perfection. It is, in my opinion, with no exception, 

 unless perhaps it be the Canvass Back Duck, the most delicious 

 bird that flies. Though generally known as a Plover., it does 

 not belong to that species, but to that of Tetanus, Tatler, a sort of 

 connecting link between the Snipes and Sandpipers — the Plover 

 proper having no hind toe. This is the only one of the three 

 families above named that is, in the United States, a land bird, 

 its habits being those of the European Golden Plover, the 

 American namesake of which is essentially a shore bird. The 

 Upland Sandpiper, or Tatler, is thus described by Mr. Audubon : 



BARTRAM'S TATLER. 



Tetanus Bartramius — Ujtland Plover., Upland Sandpiper., Frost- 

 bird, Grass Plover. 



"Male, 12i22. Female, 13.22^ 



" From Texas along the coast to Nova Scotia. Breeds from 

 Maryland northward to the Saskatchewan. In vast flocks in 

 Louisiana, Oppelousas, and the Western Prairies, in autumn and 

 spring. Rare in Kentucky. 



