136 PRiECOCIAL GRALLATORES — LIMICOL^. 



panies the Golden Plover, but the luamiers of both appear to be identical. They are 

 thus met with together botli on the shores and in the savannas, but always in 

 limited numbers. 



G. H. White proeiu-ed it near the City of Mexico ; it was obtained in the Bahamas 

 by Dr. Brvant ; and in the Bermudas, where it is of rare occurrence, by Lieutenant 

 Wedderburn. It is found in Jamaica and in Cuba from August to April. In Florida, 

 according to Mr. Moore, it is present through(.)ut the year, and is quite common even 

 in the summer months. The summer birds are all in their winter ]3lumage, have no 

 black beneath them except on their axillaries, and no white on their heads, but 

 sober winter gray ; none show either by their actions or by the condition of their 

 internal organs any symptoms of breeding. Migrants return the 11th of August, and 

 many spend the winter in Florida. 



The Baron Droste Hulskoff, in his " Birds of Borkum," states that this species 

 passes there late in May, and again appears in its southward migrations in August 

 and early in September. He describes it as a tine, lively bird, carrying its head and 

 body erect, and its breast thrown forward. It runs backward in the manner of the 

 Golden Plover ; and, before flying, always lifts its wings high above its head. Its 

 flight is peculiarly swift — more so than that of most other shore birds ■ — and it flies 

 off in a straight line, now approaching, and now leaving the ground in easy dips, 

 extending the wings far, and flying with powerful strokes. The call-note of this 

 bird, he adds, is a sharp whistle, tlj-e-ili. the flnal note being very softly sounded. On 

 the wing it repeats this note wdtli long pauses ; and when at rest, if another of the 

 same species settles down lieside it, the last part of the call-note is re^jeated back and 

 forth Ijetween the two. At sunset they are most uneasy, and fly about, calling con- 

 tinually, late into the night. They are very watchful and shy, carefully avoiding 

 every suspicious-looking mound, and very rarely approaching a place where a sports- 

 man is hid. This is the sentinel of other shore-birds, warning them by its sudden 

 flight and loud alarm-note. L)n the edge of the water it seeks its food in the foam ; 

 and. like the sandpiper, wades up to its belly in the water. 



Lord Lilford states that this bird has a curious habit of throwing somersaults in 

 the air, in the same manner as the Tumbler Pigeon and Roller. He noticed this 

 particularly in March, 1857, on the Gulf of Arta. 



According to Dr. Cooper's observations, this Plover is not common along the 

 southern coast of California, although some are found there from October to May ; 

 but a single specimen was obtained by him on Catalina Island. Farther north in that 

 State it is more abundant in the wet season, and chiefly along the sea-beaches. 

 Occasionally it visits the j)rairies, and is there known as the Whistling Field 

 Plover. 



About the end of August these birds descend to the sea-coast at the mouth of the 

 Columbia Iliver, but are later in their appearance within the limits of California. 

 They there feed on shell-fish, Crustacea, and other small marine animals. They are 

 generally very shy and watchful, whistling loudly as they fly, after the manner 

 of the Kildeer. This species was noticed in considerable numbers about Lake Kos- 

 kouong. Wis., Aug. 15, 1873. 



iVIr. Nelson mentions it as a not uncommon migrant on Lake Michigan, where it 

 arrives, in full breeding-plumage, about the 15th of ]\Iay. A few remain during the 

 summer; and although Mr. Nelson conjectures that they may breed, this is not 

 probable. Certainly none of their eggs have ever been detected except in the highest 

 Arctic regions. They return in September, wearing their fall plumage. 



Mr. jMacFarlane discovei-ed this species breeding on an island in Franklin Bay, on 



