HISTORY OF CALIFORNIA. 



359 



after it has gorged itself and become heavy, when it 

 sometimes paj's the penalty of its gluttonizing. On 

 the shores of South America, about the end of Sep- 

 tember, it builds a nest of earth upon the ground, from 

 one to three feet high, and lays a number of eggs, four 

 and a half inches long, which are eaten by the natives ; 

 its flesh is hard and drv, but it also is used for food. 

 Its voice is said to resemble the braying of an ass. 



The Sanderling Plover [Tringa arenaria\ is often 

 seen on the coast. The numerous flocks keep a low 

 circling course along the strand, at times, uttering a 



SANDERLING PLOVER. 



slender and rather plaintive whistle, nearly like that 

 of the smaller sandpipers. On alighting, the little 

 active troop, waiting the opportunity, scatter them- 

 selves about in the rear of the retiring surge, the 

 succeeding wave then again urges the busy gleaners 



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