THE AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER 79 
of the marsh are many acres of hay fields. One 
season some twenty acres of this was turned 
over and the brown mold laid bare to the sun 
and rain. During all that fall not a passing 
flock of ‘‘Goldens’’ but would stop and make 
a call there. More were killed in that one 
season in that place than in the five together 
preceding it. When a flock arrived they would 
quarter. the ground, wheeling here and there 
in erratic flight, until satisfied that all was safe, 
then finding a suitable place would suddenly 
alight and scatter at once to feed. 
Their beautiful dark eyes are full and soft, 
of remarkable size and brilliancy for a shore 
bird. The head, like that of the last species, is 
large, and the forehead is equally bulging and 
prominent, rising at a sharp angle from the bill. 
The call is a mellow piping note, flute-like and 
clear, and while not so powerful as many an- 
other bay bird produces, has great carrying 
qualities and is heard much farther than would 
be thought. With a little practice the gunner 
may easily imitate it—a great assistance to- 
ward filling his game bag, for they decoy well 
and come readily to a skillful call. Altogether 
the Golden Plover is a fine bird from the bay 
