GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 143 



Habits. — The habits of the Asiatic Golden Plover are not 

 known to differ much from those of its European ally. During 

 summer it is a bird of the tundras — the vast expanses of Arctic 

 moors above the limits of forest growth ; but in winter it migrates 

 for thousands of miles to the south, and spends that season 

 principally on the flat, mud-bound coasts and rough lands near 

 the sea. In China, however, Swinhoe observed it frequenting the 

 dry rice-fields and sweet potato gardens as well as the sea shore ; 

 whilst at its winter quarters in Borneo it is said to haunt the 

 places where buffaloes wallow, probably for the purpose of 

 catching insects and worms. It is equally gregarious and sociable, 

 especially during winter, and then consorts with other wading 

 birds ; and in Ceylon is said to be generally in the company of 

 the Mongolian Sand Plover. Many of its gatherings during winter 

 are of enormous dimensions, which frequent the muds, whilst 

 smaller parties are said to haunt the bare fields. Captain Legge 

 states that in Ceylon, where it is very common during winter, it 

 has a habit of running a little distance when approached, then 

 pausing for a moment with its body turned away from the 

 observer, and its head twisted on one side. If it be still pursued, 

 it spreads its wings and runs for a little way, then takes flight. A 

 flock when disturbed will frequently fly swiftly towards the 

 ground, then rise again. It walks and runs about the ground, 

 and flies in a very similar manner to the Golden Plover. The note 

 of the Asiatic Golden Plover is described by Mr. Seebohm as a 

 plaintive ko; the double note is a whistling kl-ee, which is some- 

 times prolonged into three syllables, kl-ee-ko. The food of this 

 species consists of various small marine animals, such as moUusks, 

 crustaceans, and the like, worms, snails, and insects, and probably 

 various ground fruits of the tundra. 



Nidiiication. — By far the best account of the breeding habits 

 of the Asiatic Golden Plover is that given by Mr. Seebohm, who 

 met with this species, and obtained its eggs and downy young on 

 the Siberian tundras in the valley of the Yenesay. So far as I am 

 aware, these eggs and nestlings are the only authentic ones known 

 to science. The earliest examples of this species arrived in the Arctic 

 regions during the firstweek in June, in lat. 66}^°,and itwasobserved 

 on the Koorayika during its passage north to the tundras. It was 



