THE RING PLOVER. 525 



group that breeds in all parts of the United States. Though so familiar in all parts, it migrates 

 extensively, even so far as South America. 



This bird usually nests in a very simple manner, but Wilson saw one of its nests lined 

 with bits of flam-shells, and surrounded by a mound or border of the same placed very neatly. 

 In some cases there is no vestige whatever of a nest. The eggs are four, of a rich cream, or 

 yellowish-clay color, thickly marked with blotches of black. They are large for the size of 

 the bird, being more than an inch and a half in length, and a full inch in width, tapering to a 

 point at one end. 



Concerning the breeding season, and the cries of the Killdeer Plover, Wilson speaks in 

 the following words : — 



" Nothing can exceed the alarm and anxiety of these birds during the breeding season. 

 Their cries of Killdeer, killdeer, as they winnow the air overhead, dive and course around you, 

 or run along the ground counterfeiting lameness, are shrill and incessant. The moment they 

 see a person approach, they fly or run to attack him with their harassing clamor, continuing 

 it over so wide an extent of ground, that they puzzle the pursuer as to the particular spot 

 where the nest or young are concealed, very much resembling, in this respect, the lapwing of 

 Europe. During the evening, and long after dusk, particularly in moonlight, their' cries are 

 frequently heard with equal violence, both in the spring and fall. From this circumstance, and 

 their flying about, both after dusk and before dawn, it appears probable that they see better 

 at such times than most of their tribe. They are known to feed much on worms, and many 

 of these rise to the surface during the night. The prowling of owls may also alarm their fears 

 for their young at those hoirrs ; but whatever may be the cause, the facts are so." 



In the months of February and March, these birds are abundant about the rice-fields of 

 South Carolina. Their flesh is not esteemed like that of other species. 



The flight of the Killdeer is something like that of the Terns, but more vigorous, some- 

 times extending to great heights. It runs with great swiftness, and i,i walking has a pecu- 

 liarly stiff and horizontal aspect of the body. During extreme droughts, in summer, it visits 

 pools and rivulets, but after the cooler season commences it returns to the sea-shore in small 

 flocks, when it is more silent, and difficult to approach. It is ten inches in length, and twenty 

 inches in extent of wing. 



'.-■ 



The Rixo Plover (Mgialites Maiicula), also called Semipalmated Plover, is closely like 

 the European species of that name. Wilson was aware of this relationship, and was somewhat 

 puzzled to reconcile it. 



Audubon gives the following account of this bird : "I have had great pleasure in observ- 

 ing the migrations of this species, particularly in early spring, when great numbers enter the 

 southern portions of the United States, on their way northward, where it is w T ell known to 

 breed. At that period, whatever attempts you may make to prevent their progress, they 

 always endeavor to advance eastward ; whereas in early autumn, they will rove in any direc- 

 tion, as if perfectly aware that the task imposed upon them by Nature having been accom- 

 plished, they may enjoy their leisure. Those which pass the winter within the limits of the 

 Union are mostly found along the shores of South Carolina, Georgia, the Floridas. and as far 

 south as the mouths of the Mississippi ; there being no doubt that many remain on the coasts 

 of the Gulf of Mexico, as I have found some there early in the spring, before observing those 

 which I knew 7 by their manners to be recently arrived. In the course of my late visit to Texas, 

 I found them on Galveston Bay, where I observed some arriving from the westward. 



"During their polar migration, they proceed rather swiftly, for, although they appear to 

 touch at every place likely to afford them food and repose, they seldom tarry long. Thus, 

 many individuals, which may have been in Texas early in April, not unfrequently reach 

 Labrador by the middle of May, although some are a month later in reaching the ultimate 

 point of their journey, which, according to Dr. Richardson, sometimes extends as far as the 

 Arctic regions. 



" While with us in spring, they confine themselves to the sandy beaches of our sea -coasts, 

 whether on the mainland or on islands, but when they arrive at their breeding stations, they 



