10 
CHARADRIUS VOCIFERUS. 
s6 wide an extent of ground, that they puzzle the 
pursuer as to the particular spot where the nest or young 
are concealed ; very much resembling, in this respect, 
the lapwing of Europe. During the evening, and long 
after dusk, particularly in moonlight, their cries are 
frequently heard with equal violence, both in the spring 
and fall. From this circumstance, and their flying 
about both after dusk and before dawn, it appears 
probable that they see better at such times than most of 
their tribe. They are known to feed much on worms, 
and many of these rise to the surface during the night. 
The prowling of owls, may also alarm their fears for 
their young at those hours : but, whatever may be the 
cause, the facts are so. 
The kildeer is more abundant in the Southern States 
in winter than in summer. Among the rice fields, and 
even around the planter’s yards, in South Carolina, I 
observed them very numerous in the months of February 
and March. There the negro boys frequently practise 
the barbarous mode of catching them with a line, at 
the extremity of which is a crooked pin with a worm 
on it. Their flight is something like that of the tern, 
but more vigorous ; and they sometimes rise to a great 
height in the air. They are fond of wading in pools 
of water; and frequently bathe themselves during the 
summer. They usually stand erect on their legs, and 
run or walk with the body in a stiff horizontal position ; 
they run with great swiftness, and are also strong and 
vigorous in the wings. Their flesh is eaten by some, 
but is not in general esteem ; though others say, that 
in the fall, when they become very fat, it is excellent. 
During the extreme droughts of summer, these birds 
resort to the gravelly channel of brooks and shallow 
streams, where they can wade about in search of aquatic 
insects : at the close of summer, they generally descend 
to the sea shore, in small flocks, seldom more than ten 
or twelve being seen together. They are then more 
serene and silent, as well as difficult to be approached. 
The kildeer is ten inches long, and twenty inches in 
extent ; the bill is black ; frontlet, chin, and ring round 
