THE OOLOG18T. 



39 



^TTheT'tccLTL oQtrcls. 



The Killdeer Plover. 



CHAS. E. COLES. 



tHIS species is one of our most nu- 

 merous and well known Plovers. 

 "^ Tliey arrive in the Northern States 

 from the southern regions early in spring, 

 and are a constant resident in most all parts 

 of the United States. This species may be 

 found on the borders of lakes, rivers, marsh- 

 es and open ground, seeking its fare of in- 

 sects, worms, beetles etc. They are exceed- 

 ingly fond of associating with otiier birds 

 of similar habits, and during the day re- 

 main silent unless disturbed by the sports- 

 man or collector, their natural enemies. 

 At the approach of danger, the alarm cry 

 is given and the rest all join imtil the noise 

 becomes deafening. It is known by its 

 sharp and piercing note, resembling the 

 word "H?Weer," from which it derives its 

 name and which is uttered not only during 

 the day, but also during the night. The 

 female builds her nest on the ground, scrap- 

 ing together a few dry leaves. It is loose- 

 ly constructed and sometimes placed in the 

 hollows made by horses' hoofs. This nest 

 is often formed on the shore, but more fre- 

 quently in the clover fields and though of- 

 ten placed apart, they not unfrequently are 

 found in communities. Wliile the female 

 is sitting the male frequently supplies her 

 with food, although she occasionally ob- 

 tains it herself. As soon as the young are 

 able to shift for themselves, they follow the 

 habits of their parents and may be seen a- 

 mong them. After the breeding season 

 this species moves in flocks of from ten to 

 thirty, which affords the gunner an excel- 

 lent chance to fill his bag, as they general- 

 ly fly low. This bird is highly prized by 

 some as an article of food, especially in the 

 fall, when the young birds are fat and 

 plump. 



As winter approaches they migrate south 



returning in spring to the delight of the 

 sportsman and the joy of the collector. The 

 latter in all cases, will have some difficulty 

 in discovering the nest, as the bird is ex- 

 ceedingly shy and vigilant, allowing no one 

 to approach within live or ten rods. If she 

 suspects danger, she will leave her nest and 

 make off through the grass until a good 

 distance from it before she will rise, mak- 

 ing a piteous cry and acting as if she was 

 wounded. 



JiTrL. Oologtcal Soctaty. 



Members of the A. O. S. 



The Treasurer has received but two or 

 three remittances on the President's call. 

 I If our Society is to be self-sustaining, we 

 must have money when it is wanted. I 

 now issue my second and last call, and hope 

 that it may bring a response from all the 

 members. J. S. Howland, Pres't. 



In order to ensure the smooth working 

 of our Society the President's calls should 

 be obeyed as far as consistent with propri- 

 ety, and as all the objects sought for are 

 j reasonable, and all calls likewise, why not 

 [ live up to them? We are now in a way 

 j that tends to no progress as far as the ob- 

 jects to be attained are concerned, and a 

 consideration has been held that the Con- 

 stitution is the first and foremost object. 

 After we possess that, and each member 

 knows just what " we are" and what "we 

 are for," all minds will be trebly interest- 

 ed. Let Treasurer Jones appreciate the 

 result of President Howland's last call by 

 a general and unanimous remittance from 

 all the members. 



At the pigeon shooting match held iu 

 Syracuse, N, Y., August 23d, Bogardus, 

 the champion of the shot-gun, was beaten 

 twice. Mr. Mayhew of Utica took fourth 

 prize in both matches. 



