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latter brighter ; upper parts brown, the feathers margined with 

 reddish-brown ; primaries dark brown, with a large portion of the 

 inner web white ; a spot of the same color on the outer webs toward 

 the tips, excepting the first two ; their coverts blackish-brown, 

 tipped with white ; secondaries white, with a large spot of brown 

 toward the ends — their tips, with those of the primaries, white ; 

 secondary coverts brown, broadly tipped with white. Length ten 

 inches, wing seven inches. 



To most persons residing in the country, this species of Plover is 

 familiar by the name of " Kildeer " — so called from the semblance 

 its notes have to those syllables. During summer it prefers the 

 open, dry grounds; at the approach of winter, it descends to the 

 sea shore. On the south side of Long Island it is not so plentiful 

 as it is on the north side, which, from its higher situation, seems 

 better adapted for its summer residence. On a recent pedestrian 

 excursion around the Island, I met with it in various sections, but 

 found it more abundant on a waste piece of ground a few miles from 

 Greenport, in the direction of Riverhead. On this neglected spot 

 a number of Kildeer had assembled, and from their manners — 

 which appeared to be more gentle than those I had previously fallen 

 in with — I concluded that they had enjoyed undisturbed possession 

 of this piece of land for a long time ; and not wishing to 

 dispute their claim, I did not disturb or interrupt their employment 

 of gathering worms and various species of insects, on which they 

 were intently bent ; but contented myself with observing their man- 

 ners, listening to their well known cry, and admiring their beauti- 

 ful plumage, which appears to better advantage when the bird is 

 flying from you at a short distance from the ground. The hand- 

 some and varied markings which occupy the upper surface of the 

 tail feathers — the bright colors of their upper coverts, and the fea- 

 thers on the rump — with its elegant wings, and the neat attire of 

 the other parts of the body — render it exceedingly pleasing to the 

 eye. 



The Kildeer passes the most of its time on the ground, over 

 which, at times, it is seen walking with a rapid gait. It also alights 

 on decayed stumps and rocks, and if not disturbed, it is not unusual 

 for it to remain several minutes in an erect and quiet attitude. In 



