234 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



Plover generally fly liigli, and keep up an incessant whistling, 

 whicli is easily imitated, and the Birds decoyed within gunshot. 

 They are very shy, and extreme care is requisite to approach 

 them. When on the sea-shore, they may be shot by the same 

 artifices resorted to for the killing of Curlews, or other Sea- 

 Birds. When on the open plains, where they are still more 

 difficult to be got at, to approach them by means of a stalking- 

 horse is an excellent plan, and is recommended as the most 

 successful mode of killing them, 



A most capital manoeuvre, and one adopted by some of our 

 sporting friends in the countrj'', is to approach them in a care- 

 less manner, either in an old wagon or cart, or on horseback, 

 as they seldom take alarm, either from a horse or vehicle of 

 any description. 



Plovers require a very hard rap to bring them down. This 

 species is known in England. 



As soon as the cold weather sets in, these Birds move off to 

 the South. 



DESCRIPTION. 



"This species is twelve inches long, and twenty four inches 

 in extent ; the bill is thick, deeply grooved on the upper man- 

 / dible, an inch and a quarter in length, and of a black color ; the 



head and globe of the eye are both remarkably large, the latter 

 deep bluish-black; forehead white; crown and hind head black, 

 spotted with golden yellow ; back and scapulars dusky, sprinkled 

 with the same golden or orange-colored spots, mixed with others 

 of white ; breast, belly, and vent, black; sides of the breast whitish; 

 wing-quills black ; middle of the shafts white ; greater coverts 

 black, tipped with white ; lining of the wing black ; tail regu- 

 larly barred with blackish and pure white ; tail coverts pure 

 white ; legs and feet a dusky lead color ; the exterior toe joined 

 to the middle by a broad membrane ; hind toe very small. 



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

 their full colors, they are found in very various stages of plu- 

 mage. 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 



