192 KILDEER PLOVER. 



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cover that completely conceals you, and you will see them peaceably and 

 silently follow their avocations for hours. In this respect the Kildeer 

 resembles the Lapwing of Europe, which is also called a restless and 

 noisy bird, because men and dogs are ever in pursuit of the poor thing, 

 which after all its vigilance often falls a prey to the sportsman, who con- 

 demns it merely because it endeavours to draw him from its nest or young. 

 During winter, when undisturbed, the Kildeer is in fact an unusually silent 

 bird. In Louisiana, where it breeds and resides at all seasons, it has ob- 

 tained the name of " Piallard,"" so strongly rooted are old prejudices. 



The Kildeer, or more properly " Kildee," so named on account of its 

 note, which may be imitated by the syllables kildee, Jcildee, dee, dee, dee, 

 appear in much greater numbers in the interior than along the coast. 

 Few are seen in the State of Maine ; none, I believe, in Nova Scotia, any 

 more than in Newfoundland or Labrador. Inland, however, these birds 

 remove to a great distance north. Unless during winter, in fact, this 

 species is not wont to approach the shores of the sea, but prefers the 

 newly ploughed fields, the banks of clear rivers, or the elevated worn- 

 out grounds of the interior. Few winter to the east of Boston, while du- 

 ring the cold season they abound in the Southern States, although thou- 

 sands spend the most rigorous months in the Western Country. In the 

 Floridas, Georgia, and South Carolina, you find them dispersed through 

 the sugar, cotton and rice fields ; and now they are so gentle and so silent, 

 that you can hardly conceive why they should be called noisy birds. 

 Around the pools, upon the marshes, and along the oyster-beds at low 

 tides, as well as on the extensive mud-flats, you will then meet with them 

 diligently searching for food, and not neglecting to watch you with dis- 

 trust. Even in the corn-fields and in company with Doves and Grakles, 

 or by the side of some strolling Partridge, you may now and then spy 

 the Kildeer. At this period I have sometimes got so near to it that I 

 could clearly see the pale red margin of its beautiful eye. The bird 

 would perhaps run a few steps, when suddenly checking its course, it would 

 stand still, erect and rigid. Should I level my gun in jest, he would that 

 instant fly off low over the ground, removing to the distance of a hundred 

 yards, alight running as it were, advance twenty or thirty steps more, 

 and then stand still. I would now again approach it as before. Never 

 try it the third time, Reader, the Kildeer will denounce you as an enemy. 

 It will stretch its wings, fly across a river or field, and leave you to amuse 

 yourself as you may. Many a time have I been thus treated. 



