SCOLOPACIDiE — THE SNIPE FAMILY — BARTRAMIA. 
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of the Schuylkill. He mentions that, unlike most of its tribe, it seems to prefer 
running about in the grass, feeding on beetles and other winged insects, there being 
usually three or four in company. The bird was extremely watchful, silent, and 
shy, so that it could only with great difficulty be approached. It was occasionally 
seen during the months of August and September, and is described as running with 
great rapidity, sometimes spreading its tail and dropping its wings, in the manner 
of a bird seeking to attract the intruder away from its nest. It remains as if fixed 
when it alights, stands very erect, and as it mounts to fly utters two or three 
sharp whistling notes. It was always remarkably plump. It is probable that much 
of Wilson’s information in regard to the habits and breeding of the Field Plover, 
attributed by him to the Black-bellied Plover, really belonged to the former, and not 
to the latter, which is a species not known to breed in any portion of the United 
States. 
Audubon characterizes this bird as the most terrestrial of the Wading tribe, hardly 
belonging to that family in its habits, but always keeping away from water, and 
never venturing to wade. In the dry upland plains of Opelousas and Attakapas, in 
Louisiana, he found it abundant in early spring as well as in autumn, passing through 
there in the beginning of March, and returning again in the fall. It was equally 
abundant on all the western prairies, on both sides of the Missouri, arriving there 
a month later than in Louisiana. The general impression that these birds never 
associate together in considerable numbers he observed to be not wholly correct, and 
Mr. Salvin also met with them in quite large flocks in the winter. Audubon also 
observed them arriving in large bands in the spring in the neighborhood of New 
Orleans, where they generally remained two weeks, a few continuing until the 15th 
of May. He noticed that, whether they alighted on fences, trees, and out-houses, or 
on the ground, they always raised both wings upright to their full extent, and uttered 
a loud, prolonged, and not unpleasant note. When pursued, they will at times lower 
their heads and run off rapidly, or, partially extending their wings, run a few steps, 
and then take to flight, or, moving off sideway, conceal themselves in the grass. When 
winged they escape by running off rapidly and hiding themselves so that they can 
rarely be found. In Louisiana they feed chiefly on coleopterous insects, and among 
these often eat cantharid.es, and are thus rendered unfit for food. In New England 
they live chiefly on grasshoppers, crickets, and other insects. In the spring mi- 
grations they eat wild strawberries, and their flesh thus acquires a delicious flavor. 
The flight of this bird is swift and well sustained ; its migrations are mostly at 
night. 
In South Carolina, according to Dr. Bachman, this Plover appears, moving south, 
about the 15th of July — the hottest season of the year — resorts to high grass-lands, 
remaining there about a month. It is seldom met with there in flocks of more than 
four or five. It is hunted by riding over the fields in a gig, from which the sports- 
man can shoot the birds as they rise out of the grass ; and this can hardly be done 
in any other way. 
The usual call-note of the Upland Plover, when undisturbed, especially during the 
breeding-season, is a prolonged and peculiarly soft whistle. This is clear and reso- 
nant, and to those familiar with it is readily distinguished from any other. The call- 
notes vary somewhat in their character, and change as the season progresses, and 
may be heard during the night when the young brood has appeared. These notes 
change yet more, and become intensified signals of alarm, when the young are threat- 
ened by danger. But under any and all circumstances these cries are peculiar to 
the species, and are unlike those of any of its tribe. 
