254 BIRDS OF THE SEA AND THE SHORE. 



on every farm, and if encouraged and protected, would 

 soon reward us with their confidence and their services. 

 These little birds are incapable of doing any mischief, 

 even if there were fifty of them on every farm. They 

 take no fruit; they do not bite off the tops of tender 

 herbs, like poultry ; they are interesting in their ways ; 

 and the only cause of their scarcity is the destruction of 

 them by gunners. 



THE UPLAND PLOVER. 



This is a species allied to the Peetweet, and well known 

 by the name of Hill-Birds. They are of a solitary habit, 

 not to be compared in utility and interest with the little 

 Peetweet. They are seldom seen in flocks. We know 

 them chiefly by their notes, which are familiar to all as 

 heard at dawn or early evening twilight. These melan- 

 choly whistling notes are uttered as they pass from their 

 feeding-places, while flying at a great height, and the 

 hour of darkness when they are heard, and their plain- 

 tive modulation, render them the most striking sounds 

 of a late summer evening. 



THE GULL. 



Among the birds which are most conspicuous about 

 our coast, I should mention the Gulls. They are not very 

 interesting birds ; but their screaming voices remind us 

 of their habitats, and their picturesque motions are famil- 

 iar to all who are accustomed to the sea-shore. They 

 associate in miscellaneous flocks, containing often several 

 species, and enliven the hour and the prospect by their 

 manoeuvres and their peculiar cries. The Gull is distin- 

 guished by its small and lean body, which is covered with 

 a great quantity of feathers. Its wings and head are very 



