156 Pll/ECOOIAL GRALLAT0RE5 — LIMICOL^. 



other's presence as long as it is undisturbed, yet if alarmed they rise and join in 

 flocks. They run with great swiftness and grace over the sandy beaches. They 

 are a very silent bird except when their treasures are threatened or when sud- 

 denly alarmed. They are unsuspicious to an unusual degree, few Waders more so, 

 and may always be readily approached. The young accompany the parents as 

 soon as hatched, and until nearly grown are sheltered by the mother in the man- 

 ner of the domestic hen. "When first hatched they have a somewhat striking mottled 

 api:)earance. 



On Lake Koskonong. in 1873, this species had reached its greatest abundance by 

 the loth of August ; and Giraud mentions its always arriving in Long Island in 

 the latter jjart of the same month. It passes northward in its spring migrations 

 early in May. Girauil states that this Plover frequents the same situations with the 

 Semipafniated Saudjiiper, in company with which it is often seen gathering its food, 

 and like tliat bird admitting of a very near approach. When alarmed, it utters a 

 very sharp note. Late in the fall it migrates south. 



Audubon states that in their breeding-places birds of this species resort to moun- 

 tainous mossy lands. In Lalirador he met with them in almost every place at which 

 he landed, and found tliem Ijreeding in all the spots that were aihijiteil for that 

 purpose. On being surprised, when in charge of their yoving, they would beat the 

 ground with the extremities of their opened wings, as if unable to rise. If pursued, 

 they at first permitted a near approach, and then took to flight, seeking to decoy the 

 intruder from their young, which squatted so closely that it was difficult to distinguish 

 them. If the latter were traced, they ran swiftly off, uttering a plaintive 2^eep, which 

 never failed to bring their mothers to their aid. 



In that region this bird begins to breed early in June, and young ones about a 

 week old were procured on the 2d of June. The nest of this species is simply a 

 small cavity in the moss, in a place sheltered from the north winds, and open to the 

 fidl rays of the sun, and usually near the margins of small ponds. The eggs are 

 always four, and placed ^^•itIl the snuill ends together ; they are jDyriform in shape 

 — pointed at one end, and obtuse at the other. 



Audulion states that by the 12th of August all the individuals that had bred in 

 Laljrador had taken their departure^ome proceeding by the Atlantic shore, others 

 by the great lakes and rivers. At this period they are sometimes seen in ploughed 

 fields searching for insects and worms. Their usual food consists of small Crustacea, 

 moUusks, and the ora of marine animals. 



This Plover extends its migrations to the shores of the Arctic Sea, and in these 

 more northern localities lines the depression in the sand which serves for its nest with 

 dried grasses. Mr. MacFarlane found its nest made of withered leaves and grasses 

 ill a depression on the shore just above high-water mark. Tliis bird was said to 

 bo tolerably numerous in that region. Mr. Kennicott foiTud it common on the 

 shores of Lake Winnipeg. It was also found by Mr. Dall to be very common at 

 Nulato, St. Michael's, and near the mouth of the Yukon. There also the eggs were 

 found laid in small depressions, made very smooth and round, and lined ^\\{\i 

 a little dry grass, very carefully ]>ut in. The nests observed contained only two 

 eggs each. 



Mr. MacFarlane found this species quite common on the shores of the Arctic Sea, 

 at Franklin Bay, at Anderson Eiver, Fort Anderson, and other localities near the 

 coast. The nests were always mere cavities dug in the soil, sometimes with a few 

 withered leaves, and occasionally with no lining whatever. The number of eggs was 

 usually four ; in no instance more, but occasionally three or two. The parent bird 



