KILLDEER. 



^3 



and fly around you, is almost deafening. At the same tjme, to 

 carry out this appearance of distress they run along the ground 

 with hanging wings, counterfeiting lameness to divert the 

 intention of the intruder. Indeed, no person can now approach 

 the breeding-place, though at a considerable distance, without 

 being molested with their vociferous and petulant clamor. 

 During the evening and till a late hour, in moonlight nights, 

 their cries are still heard both in the fall and spring. They 

 seek their fare of worms and insects often in the twilight, so 

 that their habits are in some degree nocturnal ; but they also 

 feed largely on grasshoppers, crickets, carabi, and other kinds 

 which frequent grassy fields by day. 



The flight of these birds is remarkably vigorous, and they 

 sometimes proceed at a great height in the air. They are also 

 fond of washing themselves and wading in the pools, which 

 they frequent for insects ; their gait is perfectly erect, and, like 

 most of their tribe, they run with great celerity. As game, their 

 flesh, like that of the Lapwing, is musky, and not generally 

 esteemed ; in the fall, however, when fat they are by some 

 considered as well flavored. Towards autumn families descend 

 to the sea-shore, where their behavior now becomes more 

 circumspect and silent. 



At one time the Killdeer was not uncommon in New England, 

 but of late years it has been quite rare, though a few pairs still 

 breed on Rhode Island. It is seldom seen in the Maritime Prov- 

 inces, but is common along the Great Lakes. Farther west it 

 ranges north to the Saskatchewan. 



An extraordinary flight of these birds visited the New England 

 coast late in November, 1888. Dr. Arthur P. Chadbourne — who 

 contributed a paper on the subject to " The Auk " for July, 1889 — 

 proved by reports received from various points on the Atlantic 

 coast that the birds had been driven off shore by a severe gale 

 while migrating along the Carolinian coast, and had been carried 

 north on the eastern edge of the storm and finally to the land. 

 After the storm the birds were abundant for several days from 

 Nova Scotia to Rhode Island. 



