THE GOLDEN PLOVER. 85 



According to information derived, in the winter of 1848-49, 

 from two intelligent wild-fowl shooters, golden plover were very 

 numerous in Belfast bay, from twenty-four to fifteen years ago, 

 during the frost and snow of winter ; but at such times only. 

 Prom the latter period until 1841-42, or during seven years, 

 they were scarce under all circumstances of weather, — sometimes 

 hardly one to be seen in a winter. Prom the last-named date to 

 the present they have been numerous, appearing early in the 

 autumn, and remaining until spring. 



Similar details cannot be given respecting Strangford lough ; 

 but during a week in Feb. 1846, when the weather was remark- 

 ably mild, golden plover were in abundance there. In the first 

 week of March 1847, several flocks, consisting altogether of 

 about 300 birds, were daily observed. The weather then, and for 

 some time previously, had been fine ; no frost for a long time 

 preceding. 



Mr. Poole, writing from the county of Wexford, remarks, that 

 " the golden plover is an irregular winter visitant to the lowlands, 

 coming only when hard frost compels it to leave its highland 

 haunts. When undisturbed, these birds always arrange them- 

 selves in flight in the form of a triangle ; but if frightened they 

 desert that order, and fly a long way [in single file] without join- 

 ing again. In feeding on fallow-ground they prefer the furrows 

 to the tops of the ridges, and thus unconsciously form themselves 

 into rank resembling an army drawn up in order of battle. They 

 are tame birds, and, when unaccompanied by lapwings, easily 

 approached. Some birds, shot in the evening, had their stomachs 

 fully distended with earth-worms, on which and beetles they feed." 



In Great Britain it would seem that the golden plover does not 

 await severity of weather to betake itself to the low grounds. 

 Mr. Selby, writing from Northumberland, observes that " towards 

 the end of August these birds begin to leave the moors (having 

 then congregated in large flocks), and descend to the fallows and 

 newly sown wheat-fields, where an abundance of their favourite 

 food can be readily obtained. * * * In these haunts they 

 continue till severe weather approaches, when they either move 



