208 THE KILDEER PLOVER. 



their avocations for hours. In this respect the Kildeer resembles the Lap- 

 wing of Europe, which is also called a restless and noisy bird, because men 

 and dogs are ever in pursuit of the poor thing, which after all its vigilance 

 often falls a prey to the sportsman, who condemns it merely because it 

 endeavours to draw him from its nest or young. During winter, when 

 undisturbed, the Kildeer is in fact an unusually silent bird. In Louisiana, 

 where it breeds and resides at all seasons, it has obtained the name of 

 "Piallard," so strongly rooted are old prejudices. 



The Kildeer, or more properly "Kildee," so named on account of its note, 

 which may be imitated by the syllables kildee, kildee, dee, dee, dee, appear 

 in much greater numbers in the interior than along the coast. Few are seen 

 in the State of Maine; none, I believe, in Nova Scotia, any more than in 

 Newfoundland or Labrador. Inland, however, these birds remove to a great 

 distance north. Unless during winter, in fact, this species is not wont to 

 approach the shores of the sea, but prefers the newly ploughed fields, the 

 banks of clear rivers, or the elevated worn-out grounds of the interior. Few 

 winter to the east of Boston, while during the cold season they abound in 

 the Southern States, although thousands spend the most rigorous months in 

 the Western Country. In the Floridas, Georgia, and South Carolina, you 

 find them dispersed through the sugar, cotton and rice fields; and now they 

 are so gentle and so silent, that you can hardly conceive why they should 

 be called noisy birds. Around the pools, upon the marshes, and along the 

 oyster-beds at low tides, as well as on the extensive mud-flats, you will then 

 meet with them diligently searching for food, and not neglecting to watch 

 you with distrust. Even in the corn-fields and in company with Doves and 

 Grakles, or by the side of some strolling Partridge, you may now and then 

 spy the Kildeer. At this period I have sometimes got so near to it that I 

 could clearly see the pale red margin of its beautiful eye. The bird would 

 perhaps run a few steps, when suddenly checking its course, it would stand 

 still, erect and rigid. Should I level my gun in jest, he would that instant 

 fly off low over the ground, removing to the distance of a hundred yards, 

 alight running as it were, advance twenty or thirty steps more, and then 

 stand still. I would now again approach it as before. Never try it the 

 third time, reader, the Kildeer will denounce you as an enemy. It will 

 stretch its wings, fly across a river or field, and leave you to amuse yourself 

 as you may. Many a time have I been thus treated. 



The flight of the Kildeer is strong and rapid, and is at times protracted to 

 a great distance. It skims quite low over the ground, or plays at a great 

 height in the air, particularly during the love season, when you may see 

 these birds performing all sorts of evolutions on wing. On the ground their 

 speed is such that it has become proverbial, and to "run like a Kildee," is 



