296 LEWIS'S AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



"From the length of time which these birds take to acquire 

 their full colors, they are found in very various stages of plumage. 

 The breast and belly are at first white, gradually appear mottled 

 with black, and finally become totally black. The spots of orange 

 or golden on the . crown, hind-head, and back, are at first white, 

 and sometimes even the breast itself is marked with these spots, 

 mingled among the black. In every stage, the seemingly dispro- 

 portionate size of the head and thickness of the bill will distinguish 

 this species." 



GOLDEN PLOVER. CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS. 

 HABITS, NOMENCLATURE, ETC. 



THESE birds are more beautiful in their plumage than the latter 

 variety, but somewhat smaller ; they are also far less numerous. 

 Their habits, however, are pretty much the same, perhaps more 

 gregarious, as they are often seen in considerable flocks on the sea- 

 board. The notes of the golden plover are less shrill and piping 

 than those of the black-bellied plover ; they are less timid, and 

 more easily decoyed. These birds are often taken for the young 

 of the other variety. They are known as "frost-birds" in the 

 neighborhood of New York, from the circumstance of their being 

 more abundant about the time of the early frosts of autumn, when 

 they are also in good condition. The golden plover resorts to the 

 upland meadows in search of berries and grasshoppers, to both of 

 which it is very partial. The flesh of these birds in the early 



