98 
ANXIOUS PARENTS. 
tlieir white breasts and under parts of their bodies to the 
sun, and then, as simultaneously, as though at a word of 
command, inclining them in an ojDposite direction. When 
the tide is high, they generally repose on the sands, or the 
near-at-hand pastures, where they crouch closely down, 
and are not likely to be noticed. When the nights are 
calm, and the moonlight silvers the waves, the clear mellow 
whistle of the Eing Plovers may be heard all along the 
shore, as they are then abroad hunting for food. Mr. Sal- 
mon, speaking of the migratory birds of the neighbourhood 
of Thetford, in Norfolk, says of the common King Plover, 
that ^ it is very abundant upon all our warrens during the 
breeding season, and is the iirst bird that gives us notice of 
its arrival in the spring by its low plaintive whistle, whilst 
on the wing, and garrulous note of satisfaction, when it 
alights upon the ground. Their notes are peculiarly pleas- 
iftg at this early season of the year upon our warrens, where 
hitherto silence has reigned for several months, only inter- 
rupted by the occasional whistle of a flock of Golden Plovers, 
as they sweep past you ; but as the season advances, its 
notes are too melancholy for the freshness of spring. It 
commences its nidification very early, as I have found them 
sitting upon their eggs on the 30th March. After having 
reared their offspring, they all take their departure, by the 
middle of August, for the seashore, where they remain 
throughout the winter.' 
Macgillivray says, that no birds manifest more anxiety 
about their eggs and young than these. ^ They often come 
up to within a few yards of a person sauntering in their 
vicinity, feign lameness, and run limpingly along for some 
distance. If this does not suffice to entice the intruder, 
they droop one of their wings, as if it had been broken or 
dislocated, and shuffle away some yards farther. Then, 
perhaps, both wings seem broken, and the bird tumbles 
about in the most surprising manner. If you now run up, 
it remains in the agonies of death imtil you are within a 
few yards, when suddenly recovering, it starts upon its feet, 
emits a lively note, runs a little way, springs into the air, 
and is off at full speed, wheeling from side to side, and 
joyously whistling as it proceeds. It now makes a wide 
