208 
THE KILDEER PLOVER. 
their avocations for hours. In this respect the Kildeer resembles the Lap- 
wing of Europe, which is also called a restless and noisy bird, because men 
and dogs are ever in pursuit of the poor thing, which after all its vigilance 
often falls a prey to the sportsman, who condemns it merely because it 
endeavors to draw him from its nest or young. During winter, when 
undisturbed, the Kildeer is in fact an unusually silent bird. In Louisana, 
where it breeds and resides at all seasons, it has obtained the name of 
“ Piallard,” so strongly rooted are old prejudices. 
The Kildeer, or more properly “ Kildee,” so named on accouut of its note, 
which may be imitated by the syllables kildee, kildee, dee, dee, dee, appear 
in much greater numbers in the interior than along the coast. Few are seen 
in the State of Maine ; none, I believe, in Nova Scotia, any more than in 
Newfoundland or Labrador. Inland, however, these birds remove to a great 
distance north. Unless during winter, in fact, this species is not wont to 
approach the shores of the sea, but prefers the newly ploughed fields, the 
banks of clear rivers, or the elevated worn-out grounds of the interior. Few 
winter to the east of Boston, while during the cold season they abound in 
the Southern States, although thousands spend the most rigorous months in 
the Western Country. In the Floridas, Georgia, and South Carolina, you 
find them dispersed through the sugar, cotton, and rice fields ; and now they 
are so gentle and so silent, that you can hardly conceive why they should 
be called noisy birds. Around the pools, upon the marshes, and along the 
oyster-beds at low tides, as well as on the extensive mud-flats, you will then 
meet with them diligently searching for food, and not neglecting to watch 
you with distrust. Even in the corn-fields and in company with Doves and 
Gralcles, or by the side of some strolling Partridge, you may now and then 
spy the Kildeer. At this period I have sometimes got so near to it that I 
could clearly see the pale red margin of its beautiful eye. The bird would 
perhaps run a few steps, when, suddenly checking its course, it would stand 
still, erect and rigid. Should I level my gun in jest, he would that instant 
fly off low over the ground, removing to the distance of a hundred yards, 
alight running as it were, advance twenty or thirty steps more, and then 
stand still. I would now again approach it as before. Never try it the 
third time, reader, the Kildeer will denounce you as an enemy. It will 
stretch its wings, fly across a river or field, and leave you to amuse yourself 
as you may. Many a time have I been thus treated. 
The flight of the Kildeer is strong and rapid, and is at times protracted to 
a great distance. It skims quite low over the ground, or plays at a great 
height in the air, particularly during the love season, when you may see 
these birds performing all sorts of evolutions on wing. On the ground their 
speed is such that it has become proverbial, and to “ run like a Kildee,” is 
