476 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



( u tir-whi-whi-whi-whi-whi") may express distress, or, at least, 

 perturbation. 



The Great Plover pursues and catches moths certainly, and 

 other insects probably, whilst they are flying, with great eagerness 

 and dexterity, sometimes making jumps into the air after them, 

 in doing which it aids itself, if necessary, with its wings. Possibly 

 it sometimes flies after a moth, &c, that rises beyond its reach. 



An abundance of insects about produces, in these birds, more 

 diurnal activity than would otherwise be the case. 



If the one word is to exclude the sense of the other, then the 

 Great Plover cannot strictly be called either diurnal or nocturnal. 

 It would seem to be more the latter than the former, but di- 

 nocturnal would be a more fitting word (did it exist). 



Migration begins early in October, but it is not till between 

 the middle and end of the month that all the birds are gone. 



The whole flock does not depart together, but in two or more 

 bodies (the larger first), with an interval of several days between 

 them. But stragglers (or rather laggards) are left, and these 

 may go singly, or in small groups. 



The Great Plover is an eminently social bird.* 



* This does not apply merely to their congregating in the autumn. Thej' 

 show, generally, a liking for each other's society. The breeding season 

 modifies this to some extent, but they begin to come together again as soon 

 as it is over. 



