THE GOLDEN PLOVER. 
778 
In Lapland the character and habits of the Golden 
Plover are those of a marsh bird, which is not the case 
with us, where it only occasionally frequents the neighbour¬ 
hood of swamps, much preferring dry ground far from 
water, even though it has to pay several visits to the 
latter element during the day for the purposes of bathing 
and slaking its thirst. The favourite spots frequented by 
the Golden Plover are barren heaths, where the scanty 
herbage does not rise to any great height above the 
ground, peat moors, dry fens, and extensive waste lands. 
Like all the allied species, it is a cheery, active bird, 
ever on the move both day and night. The Golden, as 
as well as the whole family of Plovers, obtain their 
soubriquet of “ Eegenpfeifer ” (Rain-whistler), from the 
fact that they are most clamorous before rain, though they 
also let themselves be heard both loud and often in line 
weather, especially towards evening. One must have 
heard the note to be able to describe it, for it cannot well 
be rendered in words or syllables: it is a clear whistle, 
twice uttered, resembling “ clieu, clieu,” or “clieua,” 
three times in succession, and is heard a long distance 
off. Thus the Golden Plover discovers itself to anyone, 
even to one who may not actually be engaged in seeking out 
its abode : the call is common to both sexes. The bird is 
not easily visible at any great distance, as the colour of its 
plumage so closely resembles that of the ground on which 
it is found, and would, but for its call, be difficult to find. 
With us, however, it is not nearly so tame and confiding 
as in Lapland (where it is either impudent or silly 
enough almost to look down the gun-barrel of the 
sportsman), but takes good care to keep out of harm’s 
way, rarely allowing that suspicious individual—man— 
to approach within gun-shot. Its movements are rapid 
