22 GOLDEN PLOYER. 



I 



number leave in spring, yet a good many remain during summer 

 to breed. 



In Ireland they are likewise common. 



Golden Plovers associate in the autumn in flocks of very 

 large extent, and are then found on moors, downs, and heaths, 

 and in any large fields, dispersing again early in spring, generally 

 in February, but some are seen in April, retiring to breed in 

 May. They have been noticed, however, in Norfolk so late 

 as the 25th. of that month. They arrive in large numbers 

 in November, and even in August and September, some 

 beginning to flock together in the former month. Thus, though 

 indigenous here, they are in some degree migratory. Their 

 movements for the most part take place in the night. They 

 breed in bogs and undrained hills, and are then hardly ever 

 seen except in pairs; at other times of the year they chiefly 

 frequent open fields, heaths, moors, and downs, and in severe 

 weather resort to the sea-coast. 



The old birds display the customary anxiety in endeavouring 

 to protect their brood; practising every device to allure away 

 the enemy tumbling over as if unable to fly, or feigning 

 lameness. The female also sits long on the nest, and if sue 

 leaves it, takes the precaution of running off to some distance 

 before taking wing. They are exceedingly good eating, and are 

 sold in numbers for the table, many being often killed at a 

 single shot as they wheel by two or three, five or six, or 

 even as many as fourteen, as has been known, W. Hewet, Esq. 

 tells me. They are capable of being kept in confinement. 

 They roost on the ground under the shelter of some tuft 

 during the depth of the night, or in the middle of the day. 



In their flight, which is very swift and strong, they often 

 sweep down close to the ground, and then suddenly rise up 

 in the air, turning and twisting continually round and round 

 before settling. During the day-time, as they feed at night, 

 they either sit on the ground, for the most part, or stand 

 in a state of repose, with the head drawn down between the 

 shoulders. They run with great velocity, now and then 

 stepping on to any elevation to look about. 



They feed on insects of various kinds, caterpillars, worms, 

 and slugs; wheat in the green state, running up and down 

 the furrows to pick it up, or other vegetables and small 

 berries. 



The wild whistle of the Plover, a wailing note, is exceedingly 

 pleasant to those who have a relish for country sounds, and 



