THE GOLDEN PLOVER. 
85 
According to information derived, in the winter of 1848-49, 
from two intelligent wild-fowl shooters, golden plover were very 
numerous in Belfast bay, from twenty-four to fifteen years ago, 
during the frost and snow of winter ; but at such times only. 
Brom the latter period until 1841-43, or during seven years, 
they were scarce under all circumstances of weather, — sometimes 
hardly one to be seen in a winter. From the last-named date to 
the present they have been numerous, appearing early in the 
autumn, and remaining until spring. 
Similar details cannot be given respecting Strangford lough ; 
but during a week in Feb. 1846, when the weather was remark- 
ably mild, golden plover were in abundance there. In the first 
week of March 1847, several flocks, consisting altogether of 
about 600 birds, were daily observed. The weather then, and for 
some time previously, had been fine ; no frost for a long time 
preceding. 
Mr. Poole, writing from the county of Wexford, remarks, that 
the golden plover is an irregular winter visitant to the lowlandvS, 
coming only when hard frost compels it to leave its highland 
haunts. When undisturbed, these birds always arrange them- 
selves in flight in the form of a triangle ; but if frightened they 
desert that order, and fly a long way [in single file] without join- 
ing again. In feeding on fallow-ground they prefer the furrows 
to the tops of the ridges, and thus unconsciously form themselves 
into rank resembling an army drawn up in order of battle. They 
are tame birds, and, when unaccompanied by lapwings, easily 
approached. Some birds, shot in the evening, had their stomachs 
fully distended with earth-worms, on which and beetles they feed.'’^ 
In Great Britain it would seem that the golden plover does not 
await severity of weather to betake Itself to the low grounds. 
Mr. Selby, writing from Northumberland, observes that ^Howards 
the end of August these birds begin to leave the moors (having 
then congregated in large flocks), and descend to the fallows and 
newly sown wheat-fields, where an abundance of their favourite 
food can be readily obtained. * * * In these haunts they 
continue till severe weather approaches, when they either move 
