KILLDEER. 
63 
and fly around you, is almost deafening. At the same time, to 
carry out this appearance of distress they run along the ground 
with hanging wings, counterfeiting lameness to divert the 
intention of the intruder. Indeed, no person can now approach 
the breeding-place, though at a considerable distance, without 
being molested with their vociferous and petulant clamor. 
During the evening and till a late hour, in moonlight nights, 
their cries are still heard both in the fall and spring. They 
seek their fare of worms and insects often in the twilight, so 
that their habits are in some degree nocturnal ; but they also 
feed largely on grasshoppers, crickets, carabi, and other kinds 
which frequent grassy fields by day. 
The flight of these birds is remarkably vigorous, and they 
sometimes proceed at a great height in the air. d'hey are also 
fond of washing themselves and wading in the pools, which 
they frequent for insects ; their gait is perfectly erect, and, like 
most of their tribe, they run with great celerity. As game, their 
flesh, like that of the I.apwing, is musky, and not generally 
esteemed ; in the fall, however, when fat they are by some 
considered as well flavored. Towards autumn families descend 
to the sea-shore, where their behavior now becomes more 
circumspect and silent. 
At one time the Killdeer was not uncommon in New England, 
but of late years it has been quite rare, though a few pairs still 
breed on Rhode Island. It is seldom seen in the Maritime Prov- 
inces, but is common along the Great Lakes. Farther west it 
ranges north to the Saskatchewan. 
An extraordinary flight of these birds visited the New England 
coast late in November, 1S88. Dr. Arthur P. Chadbourne — who 
contributed a paper on the subject to “ The Auk” for July, 1889 — 
proved by reports received from various points on the Atlantic 
coast that the birds had been driven off shore by a severe gale 
while migrating along the Carolinian coast, and had been carried 
north on the eastern edge of the storm and finally to the land. 
After the storm the birds were abundant for several days from 
Nova Scotia to Rhode Island. 
