233 THE JEESEY COAST. 



Island, it is common, where it is known by therame 

 of "gray," " grass," " field," or " upland " plover. It 

 is very wary, and difficult to be approached. On the 

 ground it has an erect and graceful gait. When 

 alarmed it runs rapidly for a short distance before 

 taking wing, uttering a whistling note as it rises ; 

 its flight is rapid, frequently going out of sight 

 before alighting. It usually keeps on the open, dry 

 grounds — feeding on grasshoppers, insects, and seeds. 

 In the month of August it is generally in fine condi- 

 tion, and highly prized as game. When feeding, 

 for greater security, this species scatter about ; the 

 instant the alarm is given, all move ofi". In the lat- 

 ter part of August it migrates southward, and, it is 

 said, performs the journey at night. Stragglers fre- 

 quently remain behind until late in September.' " 



"It is evident he knew the bird," replied one of 

 the objectors ; " but as he calls it by six or seven 

 names — the English ones being both sand-piper and 

 tatler— he evidently did not know what it should 

 be called." 



" That is the way with naturalists," replied another ; 

 " they each give a name to a species, but in this case 

 all agree that it is not a plover. "What is the name 

 plover derived from ? " 



" It comes from the French word Pluvier, rain- 

 bird, because it generally flies during a rain. But 

 naturalists found distinctions more upon the shape 

 of bill and claws than on the habits of any si^ccies. 

 According to them, plovers proper have no hind toe, 

 or, at most, only a knob in its place." 



