AMEBICAN GOLDEN PLOVES 461 



their migration, I have often noticed the flocks assume shapes that reminded 

 me of the flight of Geese; they also fly in the form of a cluster, with one or 

 more single lines out behind; also broadside in long straight lines, with an 

 apparent velocity of about one and a half miles a minute, measured by the eye 

 as they pass along the headlands. When flying near the ground they course 

 over it at a high rate of speed, in every variety of form, the shape of the flock 

 constantly changing, and frequently following every undulation of the sur- 

 face, stopping suddenly and alighting when a favorable spot is noticed. They 

 are extremely gregarious, and I have had the same flock return to my decoys 

 as many as four times, after some of their number had been shot each time. 

 When approaching the decoys every bird seems to be whistling, or, as I have 

 often expressed it, uttering a note like coodle, coodle, coodle. During the middle 

 of the day they are fond of seeking the margins of ponds where they sit 

 quietly for a long time, if undisturbed. When disturbed they are almost certain to 

 return, in a short time, to the same spot from which they have been started, 

 that is, if they have been resting or feeding there any length of time. When 

 suspicious, it is very difficult to approach, decoy, or call them; if not harassed, 

 they are as a rule quite tame, and gentle, and can be easily driven up to 

 with a horse and wagon. . . . 



Young birds invariably appear wild and wary, much more so than the old 

 ones. They are also very erratic in their movements and flight when with us. 

 They usually will not pay so much attention to the decoys or call-whistle as 

 do the old birds; and I have seen them when very shy and after being disturbed, 

 mount up into the air and nearly turn over on their backs while flying with 

 great velocity. It is a noteworthy fact that when a flock of these young birds 

 is approaching, no dependence can be placed on their movements. They may 

 sometimes sweep down within a few yards of the sportsman, passing with great 

 rapidity over his head, all scattered; or down close to the stand and then up into 

 the air; or they may turn suddenly. . . . The older birds rarely indulge in any 

 similar antics. . . . 



As far as my observation shows on the Island of Nantucket, the Golden 

 Plover usually seeks land about dusk and during the first half of the night. 



These birds are often heard passing overhead in migration, but 

 they do not always stop. 

 Goss says (1891, p. 210) : 



In flight they are swift and strong, sweeping over the prairies in a com- 

 pact, wavy form, at times, skimming close to the ground, then high in air, 

 an ever-changing, circling course, whistling as they go; and on alighting raise 

 their wings until the tips nearly touch, then slowly fold them back, a habit 

 which is quite common with them as they move about on the ground. 



According to Cooke (1910, p. 83) the American Golden Plover 

 nests during the latter part of June, eggs having been taken on the 

 lower Anderson River, Mackenzie, and at Point Barrow, Alaska, on 

 five dates from June 16 to 24. Reed (1904, p. 127) records a set 

 taken June 1, and some of the sets taken in the Anderson River region 

 by MacParlane were fresh even as late as July (Baird, Brewer and 

 Ridgway, 1884, I, p. 144). Very little has been written in regard 

 to the nesting habits of this American race of the Golden Plover. 



