1 82 THE FOWLER IN IRELAND. 



The eggs of the Green Plover, as before stated, 

 are not sought for, and sold as dainties in Ireland, 

 as they are in England. When seeking their nest 

 and that of the Golden Plover, I have often noticed 

 that they seldom if ever rise straight off their eggs, 

 but will rather run crouching slily through the grass 

 or heather for some distance, and then flap up and 

 fly towards the intruder, thus deluding him with 

 the idea that they have at that moment left their 

 charge ; instead of which the eggs may have been 

 passed, and almost trodden underfoot. You should 

 not look where you think the treasure is likely to 

 be found, but, when the birds are sweeping over a 

 field or meadow, hunt in a regular manner up and 

 down from end to end, or round a stick, in ever 

 widening circles. Do not imagine you can get a 

 hint from the Plovers' screams and motions ; they 

 are far too cunning for that. 



If the winter be mild, Golden Plover will some- 

 times remain till the middle of December. But 

 one week's frost will drive them nearly all away. 

 The large " stands " then vanish, and but a few 

 birds are left scattered here and there, The home 

 breeders will return again to the coast by the end of 

 February or beginning of March. Green Plover 

 also are very sensitive to frost, and an early touch 

 of hard weather will send them away. But should 

 the season be rainy they will stay in large congre- 

 gations till Christmas, after which date they are 

 never numerous. 



