158 
CHARADRIID.E. 
Even when the flocks are assembled, there are sure to be some 
scattered birds about the hills, and these are seldom difficult 
to obtain. It is only necessary to imitate the whistle of the 
bird, and to continue doing so at intervals, repl}dng again to 
the response which is sure to follow, and then to walk rapidly 
up and fire as it takes wing ; for when its attention is thus 
excited, it nearly always stands upon a slight eminence, occa- 
sionally running and sliifting its position to another hillock, 
but very seldom flying until the shooter is within about forty 
yards. The same note is uttered when the flocks are on the 
wing, but the sudden change to the cry which Macgillivray likens 
to the word courlie-ioee, is a sure indication that they are about 
to alight. I have fancied that the note is softer in autumn, 
but I have probably been deceived by young bu’ds. The note 
which immediately precedes flight is always shriller than the 
others. Were it not for the Plover’s habit of rendering itself 
as conspicuous as possible in the mamier above described, it 
might always elude pursuit. So precisely similar is the 
plumage of the upper parts to the moss-freckled gTOund which 
the bird loves to frequent, that when one is shot it is quite 
possible to walk within a yard of the spot where it is lying, 
face downwards, without perceiving it. A considerable num- 
ber may be obtained in a few hours by stalking them singly 
upon the moors as above described; but a chance shot at a flock 
as it dashes heedlessly past is often the means of rapidly mak- 
ing up a respectable bag, — though a means only to be excused 
on the tyrant’s plea, necessity, when the alternative is “ salt 
fish again.” 
I have many times seen the Peregrine in pursuit of the 
Golden Plover, but the result has generally terminated in 
favour of the Plover by its wisely taking to the ground. 
Authors differ in opinion as to whether the term 'pluvialis 
has been correctly applied to this species : my own note-books 
show that in most cases rain has not been far distant when the 
flocks were wheeling about noisily and at random, without any 
apparent cause. 
