THE PLOVERS 309 



prairie, they appear as large as pigeons (larger than 

 they are), and they are called prairie pigeons in some 

 localities. This name is, however, more often applied 

 to the field plover or sandpiper. 



The golden plover is shot by the bay-men and 

 sportsmen over decoys, as it travels north and south 

 along the coast, and it responds well to an imitation of 

 its whistle, which Mr. Hough has attempted to give 

 phonetically as a keen " Whit! wheat — wheet — whit! " 

 There are plover calls on the market which give a 

 fair imitation of their whistle, but the market gunners 

 do not rely on these. 



Elliot says this golden plover goes mostly by the sea- 

 coast in its migrations ; or, if the weather be favorable, 

 far out at sea, making but few stops in the long jour- 

 ney. I have never seen any such numbers about the 

 coast as I have observed on the Western prairies, and 

 I am quite satisfied that fully as many and in fact 

 more birds pass inland across the continent. 



In Illinois and Indiana a few years ago the number 

 of plovers to be seen on the prairies was truly re- 

 markable. I have seen flocks containing hundreds of 

 birds scattered about in every direction and flying 

 from one feeding ground to another. 



Plover shooting over decoys is still a favorite amuse- 

 ment with many Western sportsmen. It is almost im- 

 possible to stalk them without the aid of a horse or 

 vehicle. I have repeatedly, when snipe shooting, at- 

 tempted to walk near a flock of these birds when they 

 appeared not very wild, but notwithstanding I resorted 

 to the artifice of seeming to pass them, as one would 

 drive for them in a vehicle, they always took wing just 



