Auk, XV, Jan., 1893, p p.S'XS. 
The 1897 Migration 01 the Golden Plover ( C haradrius dominions ) and 
the Eskimo Curlew ( Numenius borealis ) in Massachusetts. — Were it not 
for the reason that I desire to keep up the continuity of my migrating 
record on these birds, I should scarcely consider the data I have for this 
season worth recording. Up to August 22, no Golden Plovers or Eskimo 
Curlews had been observed at Nantucket or adjacent islands. On this 
date the wind was southwest, with rain commencing at 9.30 o’clock a. m. , 
accompanied at intervals with lightning. I drove all over the western 
plover grounds but did not see any birds. I was informed that a flock 
of thirty Golden Plovers had been seen there later in the day. The wind 
finally came from the northeast and in the evening two or three persons 
informed me that they had heard the birds passing over the tower. 
Although on the alert, I did not hear any. Again, after 10.30 at night, a 
good many birds were reported to have been heard from several points 
as they passed over head, but none stopped. At Chatham, Cape Cod, 
Mass., on this same date (August 22), the first Golden Plovers (four) 
of the season, as far as I know, were shot, and many others were noted 
as they passed during the day, on migration. This was the first move- 
ment going south this season. 
I again drove all over the western grounds on Nantucket August 23 
seeing four Golden Plovers, flying towards the west; later in the day two 
others were noted. On the 24th, I am informed, three flocks of Plovers 
were observed at the westward, one of twenty-five, one of fifteen, and 
one of thirty, the numbers being estimated. A small flock of six Plovers 
was also observed at Tuckernuck Island. The wind was easterly on this 
date, and it rained at intervals from six o’clock a. m. until twelve o’clock 
noon, at which time the wind changed to southwest and the weather 
cleared. 
One small flock of eight Eskimo Curlews (the only ones noted here 
for the entire season) w’as seen well up in the air, flying on migration, 
headed towards the west. No birds stopped on the islands, and none 
were killed. 
O11 the afternoon of August 27, a flock of twelve Plovers was seen, 
find on the 29th, eleven Plovers were domiciled in a certain protected 
field on the Kimball farm. On September 17, five Plovers were noted at 
the western end of Nantucket. The ground on the island this season is 
in poorer condition than usual, owing to the wet weather, which has 
enabled the grass and weeds to grow profusely; in addition to this, there 
has been no ground burned off this year. 
I made inquiries several times in the Boston markets in order to 
ascertain if any of the above birds had been sent in from other localities, 
but could hear of none. Personally, I have not shot any. It is doubtful 
if over twelve Plovers have been taken during the entire season on 
Nantucket and adjoing islands, and not an Eskimo Curlew. 
I can but regard with solicitude the killing of these birds in such im- 
mense numbers, as also the Bartramian Sandpipers, as they pass north- 
ward on migration through the Mississippi Valley in the spring on 
their way to their breeding grounds; many of the females having eggs 
quite well developed in their ovaries at the time. This has been going 
on for a number of years. (I called attention to it in Auk, Vol. VIII, 
p. 24, January, 1891.) How long can it continue? It has been several 
years since any considerable numbers of these birds have landed on the 
Atlantic seaboard during August or September. I believe the danger 
line has been passed long since. Protection is generally the laggard in 
the race. Our Western Associates should look to this matter and 
endeavor to put a stop to such annihilation if possible. — George H. 
Mackay, Nantucket , Mass. 
ORl Records .. or MAss, As RhoA* Id. 
Somerville, Massachusetts, March 20 , 1840 , and Revere, Mass., March 
6, 1880 . On each of these dates Mr. George A. Tapley of Revere, Mass., 
shot an American Golden Plover ( Charadrius dominicus). Mr. Tapley in- 
formed me he had killed one other in the spring. 
H3 
Auk 28, Jan-1911, m /3o. 
