The Black-bellied Plover 



The scientist knows that Squatarola sqnatarola is nearly cosmopolitan 

 in its range, although it breeds only in the Arctic zone; that it is closely 

 related to plovers of the Charadrins group, from which it is separated only 

 by the trifling circumstance of having a tiny hind toe ; but he does not 

 know, apparently, any good reason why it should ever have been called 

 the Helvetian or Swiss Plover, since it neither breeds nor winters in that 

 tiny republic of glaciers. Many other things the scientist is ready to offer, 

 but we are anxious to reach the accepted domain of the bird-lover, and 



Taken at Sandyland 



THE PLOVER AS BIG BROTHER 



Photo by the A ulhor 



to declare that the bird belongs to us and to us alone, by right of sympathy. 

 Only by the give and take of friendly pursuit, or by quiet observation, 

 may one come to feel really acquainted with any bird. The Black-bellies 

 are very wary with us upon arrival from the north, during the last week 

 of August or early in September. A hat-brim thrust over the edge of the 

 sea-cliff will send the flock scurrying seaward. They are somewhat more 

 tolerant of an unconcealed approach along the beach, merely taking the 

 precaution to quit the upper beach and to draw together. At times they 

 will gather at the water's edge and endure some buffeting by the waves 

 before taking flight. On wave-swept ledges I have seen them rise before 



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