204 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



imagine they breed, in far gi-eater quantities than within the 

 confines of the States. 



On their arrival here they frequent, wherever such exist, 

 wide, upland downs or moors, covered with short, close turf; 

 and are found in greater numbers in Rhode Island, in the vicinity 

 of Newport, than in any other district with which I am ac- 

 quainted ; although from the aspect of the country, the nature 

 of the soil, and the quality of the grass lands, I cannot doubt but 

 that they must exist abundantly along the Atlantic coasts of the 

 State of Maine. Comparatively speaking, there are few sports- 

 men in that region, as is the case in all new countries, where 

 men hunt for profit or for provision, not for sport, and where 

 the pursuit of the larger animals is so common and so well 

 rewarded, as to render the shooting of birds on the wing rare, 

 and in the eyes of the community rather ridiculous. The con- 

 sequence of this is, that the capabilities of the country in a 

 sporting view, are unknown ; and the species of game, to be 

 found in it, almost certainly lost to the sporting world. 



In June, 1840, I saw several of these birds, with young, in 

 the immediate vicinity of the city of Bangor ; and. I have little 

 or no doubt that, were proper means taken, great numbers 

 might be procured at the proper season in that region. 



The Field Plover is abundant in the Boston markets during 

 the season ; and I believe they are sufficiently common to afford 

 amusement to the sportsmen of that country, though I am not 

 aware in what parts of the State they are most frequent. 



On the plains in the vicinity of Hempstead, Long Island, they 

 used to abound ; and they still frequent that country, although 

 not nearly so numerous as they were some years since. In New 

 .Tersey they are very rare, owing to the nature, I imagine, of 

 the soil, and the face of the country; for these birds are the 

 least maritime of their race, and never, I think, frequent salt 

 marshes, or water meadows of any kind ; of which most of the 

 low lands in New Jersey consist, while its hills are not open 

 sheep-walks, but rocky and wooded fastnesses, equally unfit for 

 this Sandpiper's abode. 



