170 charadriidjE. 



is therefore not exclusively attached to wet ground. About 

 the latter end of September the present species arrives 

 here from the north, first in small flocks, and during the 

 month of October in larger, according to the season being 

 more or less cold, earlier or later ; this bird can bear cold 

 very well, but sharp frosts, occasioning scarcity of food, 

 naturally drive it southward. 



Its migratory wanderings generally take place during the 

 night, although pressing circumstances frequently oblige it 

 to perform them during the day. 



In the autumn its course is observable from the north- 

 east towards the south and south-west, and in the spring 

 from the south towards the north and north-east ; it flies 

 at such times at a great elevation, and at a very rapid rate, 

 often in hundreds together, and, like many others of its 

 kind, in a double line, being headed by one individual. 

 When performing its journey over the sea, out of reach of 

 land, and being overtaken by stormy weather or contrary 

 wind, it has been frequently observed to alight on the 

 water for rest, and after a while reascend and continue its 

 journey. 



The food of the Golden Plover consists in worms, small 

 beetles, slugs, and other insects, vegetable matter, and ber- 

 ries of heath plants, which enable it to subsist on the pro- 

 duce of wet and dry ground equally ; the principal feeding- 

 times are morning and evening, also most part of the night, 

 when the moon or stars enable it to continue its search : 

 it roosts on the ground, standing under the scanty shelter of 

 some grassy tuft or heath-plant, either during the night or in 

 the middle of the day. 



In confinement the Golden Plover is easily supplied with 

 food, on account of the diversity of its taste, but worms and 

 bread and milk will satisfy it very well. 



