The Killdeer 
powerful glasses, is often a baffling matter. Just for the game’s sake 1 
once visited a certain damp stretch of gravel where I knew the Killdeers 
were at home. A male bird gave early alarm, but was not joined by his 
mate until after the lapse of several moments. Both hurried forward and 
the male devoted himself assiduously to “playing” me, but the female soon 
retired and took to sneaking in the distance, in what appeared to be a 
somewhat aimless fashion. After fifteen minutes I caught the Hash of 
another white head near that of the female (150 yards away from me), 
a youngster being coached away by its mother. I marked it down as well 
as I could and made for-the spot; but it was to laugh. I hadn’t it at that 
range within 20 feet; so I retired, under grave suspicion, to spy some more. 
Again the coaching tactics at 100 yards. The birdling froze as soon as 1 
began to move, but I thought I had a pretty close line on it this time. 
Arrived at the spot 1 threw my handkerchief down and searched foot by 
foot -with increasing mystification. Again I retired. This time I got a 
“bead” on baby at fifty yards. It was well I did so, for he had found a 
hidey hole in the shape of a calf’s track, and he was a frozen dainty when 
I reached the spot. Not an eyelid would he bat while I stroked his fore¬ 
head, but when I lifted him in my hand the spell was broken and he 
became all animation. 
Opinions of the Killdeer will differ endlessly, according to one’s own 
mental reaction. But whatever one’s opinion, it is certain that Oxyechus 
vocif vocif, etc., is not a negligible bird. He bulks large in the American 
consciousness, whether of tyro or scientist. The opinion of the economist 
is altogether favorable, for the Killdeer is voted a very valuable coadjutor 
in the endless war against “bugs.” The sportsman, too, although he has 
preferred charges against him, as recited, has no claim upon the bird as 
food. It is reputed, I believe, to be too tough, or dry, or stringy, or some¬ 
thing of that sort; but I suppose the real reason is that the bird is too 
individual. So far as I know, other birds do not resist the impertinence of 
the Killdeer. Yet I do recall one exception, of doubtful significance. In 
this a Barn Swallow figured as the pursuer, and a Killdeer, of all virtuous 
creatures, as the pursued. It was no casual affair either, a playful dive or 
a perfunctory resenting of intrusion. The Swallow chased that Killdeer 
from cellar to garret and back again thirteen times while I gazed in 
astonishment. What the Swallow wanted I do not know; but the Kill¬ 
deer wanted to get away and he wanted it badly. He succeeded at last in 
brandishing a clean pair of heels before that wing master, Hirundo rustica 
erythrogaster, and I had seen one of the prettiest and longest exhibitions of 
aerial fencing ever witnessed, or ever the Swallow gave over the chase. 
But I haven’t the least idea what sort of mischief he could have been up to. 
Our own recollection of the bird is softened by tender memories of 
I 3°9 
