CHARADRIID/E — THE PLOVERS — CHARADRIUS. 
143 
On the Pacific coast this bird is comparatively rare. Dr. Cooper never met with 
it in Southern California, and has only seen a single specimen, shot near San Fran- 
cisco by Mr. J. Hepburn. Dr. Newberry mentions having noticed it in the northern 
part of that State in autumn. 
In Northeastern Illinois and near the shores of Lake Michigan, Mr. Nelson con- 
siders this species a very abundant migrant. It arrives in large flocks early in April, 
the black of their breeding-plumage only just beginning to mottle their white breasts. 
They frequent wet prairies until the last of the month, when they leave, a few 
remaining into May. Returning early in September, they stay until October. 
They resort to breed to the most northern portions of the continent, from Green- 
land to Sitka. Dr. Walker, of the “Fox,” mentions meeting with them on the coast of 
Greenland, near Godtliaab, and afterward finding them breeding in the marshy val- 
leys of Bellot’s Strait in June. This species is included in Reinhardt’s list of the 
birds of Greenland, on the strength of specimens taken there by Holboll. 
Captain Blakiston noted it as only a passing visitor in the more southern parts of 
British America, and as numerous in autumn on the shores of Hudson’s Bay ; but it 
did not appear to be common on the Western plains. Mr. Ross mentioned this Plover 
as being abundant on the Mackenzie, and Hearne speaks of it as having been called, 
a century ago, by the Indians of Hudson’s Bay, “ Hawk’s-eye,” — a name indicating 
its watchfulness, when sitting, in preventing a too near approach. He describes its 
motions when on the wing as swift and irregular, particularly when single or in small 
flocks. Though never numerous at Churchill River, yet at Fort York, in the fall of 
1773, he saw this bird in immense flocks. They were, however, by no means equally 
plentiful in all years nor in all places. At Fort Albany several barrelsful were 
annually salted down for winter use. He adds : “ This bird during the summer 
resorts to the remotest northern parts, for I have seen them at Copper River, though 
in those dreary regions only in pairs. The young leave the nests as soon as hatched, 
and when but a few days old run very fast. At night or in rainy weather the old 
ones call them together and cover them with their wings in the same manner as a 
hen does her chickens.” 
Richardson in his account states that the breeding-quarters of this species are the 
Barren Ground, the Arctic coast, and the islands of the Arctic Sea ; that they hatch 
early in June, and retire southward in August. Numbers, however, linger on the 
muddy shores of Hudson’s Bay, and on the sandy beaches of the rivers and lakes of 
the interior, until the hard frosts of September and October drive them away. At 
this period they are very fat, and are highly prized by the epicures of the Fur 
Country. 
This Plover appears also to be a common species on the northwestern coast. Ban- 
nister gives it as common at St. Michael’s. It was procured by Bisclioff at Sitka and 
Kadiak, and is mentioned by Dali as being abundant at Nulato and all along the 
Yukon River, where it arrives during the latter part of May. 
Mr. MacFarlane’s Arctic Notes are very full in reference to the nesting and breed- 
ing habits of this species. The number of eggs was almost invariably four, but in 
one instance five were said to have been found. Out of one hundred and fourteen 
recorded nests, ninety-two contained four eggs. In one instance only one egg, nearly 
ready to hatch, was found. The nests were noticed throughout the Barren Grounds, 
from the time of the party’s leaving the woods quite up to that of their arrival 
on the Arctic Ocean. The nests were in all instances mere depressions in the soil, 
generally lined with a few dry leaves, and were difficult to find, as there was nothing 
to distinguish them from the soil — which the eggs very closely resemble in color — 
