CHARADRTTD.K — THE PLOVERS — CHARADRIUS. 143 



On the Pacific coast this bird is comparatively rare. Dr. Cooper never met with 

 it in Southern California, and has only seen a single specimen, shot near San Fran- 

 cisco by jNIr. J. Hepburn. Dr. Xewberry mentions having noticed it in the northern 

 part of that State in autumn. 



In Xortheastern Illinois and near the shores of Lake Michigan, Mr. Xelson con- 

 siders this species a very abundant migrant. It arrives in large flocks early in April, 

 the black of their breeding-plumage only just beginning to mottle tlieir white breasts. 

 They frequent wet prairies until the last of the month, when they leave, a few 

 remaining into May. Heturning early in September, they stay until October. 



They resort to breed to the most northern portions of the continent, from Green- 

 land to Sitka. Dr. Walker, of the " Fox," mentions meeting with them on the coast of 

 Greenland, near Godthaab, and afterward finding them breeding in the marshy val- 

 leys of Bellot's Strait in June. This species is included in Reinhardt's list of the 

 birds of Greenland, on the strength of specimens taken there by Holbcill. 



Captain Blakiston noted it as only a passing visitor in the more southern parts of 

 British .-Vmerica, and as numerous in autumn on the shores of Hudson's Bay ; but it 

 did not appear to be common on the Western plains. Mr. Boss mentioned tliis Plover 

 as being abundant on tlie ^Mackenzie, and Hearne speaks of it as having been called, 

 a century ago. by the Indians of Hudson's Bay, " Hawk"s-eye," — a name indicating 

 its watchfulness, when sitting, in preventing a too near approach. He describes its 

 motions when on the wing as swift and irregular, particularly when single or in small 

 flocks. Though never numerous at Churchill Eiver, yet at Fort York, in the fall of 

 1773, he saw this bird in immense flocks. They were, however, by no means equally 

 plentiful in all years nor in all places. At Fort Albany several barrelsful were 

 annually salted down for winter use. He adds : " This bird during the summer 

 resorts to the remotest northern parts, for I have seen them at Copper Eiver, though 

 in those dreary regions only in pairs. The young leave the nests as soon as hatched, 

 and when but a few days old run very fast. At night or in rainy weather the old 

 ones call them together and cover them with their wings in the same manner as a 

 hen does her chickens." 



Richardson in his account states that the breeding-quarters of this species are the 

 Barren Ground, the Arctic coast, and the islands of the Arctic Sea ; that they hatch 

 early in June, and retire southward in August. Xumbers, however, linger on the 

 muddy shores of Hudson's Bay, and on the sandy beaches of the rivers and lakes of 

 the interior, until the hard frosts of September and October drive them away. At 

 this period they are very fat, and are liighly prized by the epicures of the Fur 

 Country. 



This Plover appears also to be a common species on the northwestern coast. Ban- 

 nister gives it as common at St. Michael's. It was procured by Bischoff at Sitka and 

 Kadiak, and is mentioned by Dall as being abundant at iNulato and all along the 

 Yukon River, where it arrives during the latter part of May. 



Mr. MacFarlane's Arctic Notes are very full in reference to the nesting and breed- 

 ing habits of this species. The number of eggs was almost invariably four, but in 

 one instance five were said to have been found. Out of one hundred and fourteen 

 recorded nests, ninety-two contained four eggs. In one instance only one egg, nearly 

 ready to hatch, was found. The nests were noticed throughout the Barren Grounds, 

 from the time of the party's leaving the woods quite up to that of their arrival 

 on the Arctic Ocean. The nests were in all instances mere depressions in the soil, 

 generally lined with a few dry leaves, and were difficxrlt to find, as there was nothing 

 to distinguish them from the soil — whicli the eggs very closely resemble in color — 



