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that during his residence in Southern Africa he shot several Golden Plovers in winter plumage at 

 Zoetendals Vley. On the west coast it has been received by M. Jules Verreaux from Gaboon. 



We extract the following particulars as to the habits of the present bird from Naumann : — 

 " At all times its favourite resorts are such places as are overgrown with heather (Erica 

 vulgaris) which is not very high or dense (and not where it is high as in Jutland), and where the 

 bird may be seen from some distance. It is therefore also often met with near dry peat moors, 

 where only here and there marshy places occur, and never inhabits for any length of time the 

 true swamp and damp meadows. They spend the night in ploughed fields, crouched down 

 between the small mounds ; they sleep but a very short time, and in light nights may be heard 

 at almost any hour, and, like many seminocturnal birds, take a midday siesta. 



" The note of the Golden Plover is a clear loud whistle, either of two syllables like Tliii, or 

 three like Tluei, the latter more seldom. The former resembles the note of the Grey Plover, but 

 the latter so much so that a practised ear can scarcely distinguish it. When scared up suddenly, 

 the note is short, like Tit. Both sexes call when sitting and flying, but more often when on the 

 wing. The male utters the nuptial note or song when floating in circles through the air above 

 the nest or dropping to the ground in a slanting line ; while sitting they seldom utter it. This 

 song consists of a long, heavy, shrill note, like Taludl-taludl-taludl-taludl. The young when 

 fledged whistle a clear note, Tlih. They feed chiefly on insects, especially a yellowish larva like 

 that of Tenebrio molitor, but smaller, and a large black beetle (Haltica). Seeds of several field- 

 plants, such as Polygonum aviculare and Scleranthus animus, are also found in their stomachs." 



Droste says that it arrives in Borkum about the middle of August, and in October is often 

 seen in enormous flocks. It leaves at the first frost and returns again in March. Respecting its 

 habits there, he says : — " It is a true frequenter of the greensward, affecting grazing-places, and, 

 in the outer meadows, dry, sandy localities, and places on the shores which are overgrown with a 



saline plant ( Glaux maritima) Its food consists of worms, beetles, and larvse, also berries 



and seeds ; and I have reason to suppose that it feeds on the seeds of Glaux maritima. It can 

 easily be distinguished by its stout head and narrow extended wings. It certainly resembles the 

 Grey Plover, but is distinguishable by its darker colour and slighter build. It flies swiftly, 

 bowing its wings into the shape of a sickle. Its movements on the wing are easy, but not very 

 swift ; standing, its body is held erect. When followed, it tries to escape by running backwards, 

 and has a habit of halting on a hillock to look round ; before taking wing, it moves and twists 

 the body as if undecided, lifts its wings high, and then flies off, calling loudly. It is shy and not 

 easily approached, but can be called if its note is well imitated. It is fond of its companions ; 

 and if one is shot out of a flock, the rest return and call loudly to the dead bird to induce it to 

 fly off. It is not fond of the company of other birds, except Starlings ; I have seen it drive 



off Redshanks They migrate both by day and night. Its call-note is a clear, soft Tlui, 



uttered both when the bird is on the wing and sitting. Even in the darkest nights, when one 

 passes a flock, they may be heard softly calling each other and answering." 



Selby says the " Golden Plover is a nocturnal feeder, and during the day is commonly seen 

 squatted upon the ground or standing asleep, with the head drawn down between the shoulders. 

 It runs very fast, and when wounded is difficult to be caught without the aid of a dog. Upon the 

 Continent these birds are abundant during the time of their migrations, as in Holland, parts of 



