132 With Rod and Gun in New England 



more southern in its habitat, appearing in New England as a visitor only. 

 They are readily identified, the Wilson's plover having a black bill, while the 

 other has an orange-colored bill with a black tip, and a web between the outer 

 and middle toes reaching to the second joint. There is also another species 

 whose neck is partially ringed, called the ' piping plover,' .Jigialitis mcloda ; 

 it also has an orange-colored bill with a black tip, but the black collar extends 

 only around the back of the neck. All these birds are found on the sandy 

 beaches, salt marshes, and muddy flats in company with the peeps, and 

 other small waders, and their food is similar to that of the others." 



" The turnstone is another odd-looking bird," said the Judge ; " he 

 always seemed to me as if his head was upside down." 



"Yes," I replied, "he is a sort of freak. He is called the Arenaria 

 interpres by ornithologists, and by gunners is known as the ' calico bird,' 

 ' horsefoot snipe,' ' brant bird,' and ' beach bird.' It does not seem to fraternize 

 much with the other waders, but runs about the beach in search of small 

 crustaceans : it is fond of the spawn of the king crab, or horse-foot crab, 

 and this probably accounts for one of its names. Its habit of thrusting its 

 bill beneath a small stone or pebble, and turning it over in search of food, 

 is well known. It is a good swimmer, and I have seen it moving over the 

 surface of the water like a small tern. It is, in the adult plumage, one of 

 the handsomest of our shore birds." 



" The killdeer is another handsome species," said the Doctor ; " it also 

 breeds in New England." 



" Yes," I replied, " it is pretty generally distributed throughout the con- 

 tinent. It is not abundant, but seems to be found in pairs all along our shore, 

 and also in the interior. It is the ^ligialitis vocifera of naturalists, and it is 

 well named, for it is one of the noisiest birds of our coast. Its loud call of 

 1 kill-dee, ' l kill-dee? which is often repeated, is well known. It is a rapid 

 runner, and when in pursuit of its food, is very industrious. It is also very 

 active on the wing, and often mounts high in the air, uttering at the same 

 time its loud and well-known call. I have often seen it on ploughed fields 

 and pastures, and when I approached it, it assumed an erect attitude and 

 regarded me with curiosity. As I drew near, however, it flew high in the 

 air and circled around over me, uttering its shrill and scolding cry." 



" Well, gentlemen," exclaimed the Judge, " I don't know what sug- 

 gested all this talk about waders, unless it was the heavy rain that still con- 

 tinues to fall. It keeps right on, and we shall have all the water in the 

 river that we desire. It is growing late, and I, for one, feel sleepy." 



" Yes," added the Doctor, " I think the storm will not keep me awake." 



Our blankets were soon spread out, and although the din of the storm 

 continued, and the roar of the falls increased in force, we quickly lost con- 

 sciousness of them in slumber. 



