204 
FRANK FORESTER^ FIELD SPORTS. 
imagine they breed, in far greater quantities than within the 
confines of the States. 
On their arrival here they frequent, wherever such exist, 
wide, upland downs or moors, covered with short, close turf; 
and are found in greater numbers in Rhode Island, in the vicinity 
of Newport, than in any other district with which I am ac¬ 
quainted ; although from the aspect of the country, the nature 
of the soil, and the quality of the grass lands, I cannot doubt but 
that they must exist abundantly along the Atlantic coasts of the 
State of Maine. Comparatively speaking, there are few sp or tin¬ 
men in that region, as is the case in all new countries, where 
men hunt for profit or for provision, not for sport, and where 
the pursuit of the larger animals is so common and so well 
rewarded, as to render the shooting of birds on the wing rare, 
and in the eyes of the community rather ridiculous. The con¬ 
sequence of this is, that the capabilities of the country in a 
sporting view, are unknown; and the species of game, to be 
found in it, almost certainly lost to the sporting world. 
In June, 1840, I saw several of these birds, with young, in 
the immediate vicinity of the city of Bangor ; and I have little 
or no doubt that, were proper means taken, great numbers 
might be procured at the proper season in that region. 
The Field Plover is abundant in the Boston markets during 
the season; and I believe they are sufficiently common to afford 
amusement to the sportsmen of that country, though I am not 
aware in what parts of the State they are most frequent. 
On the plains in the vicinity of Hempstead, Long Island, they 
used to abound; and they still frequent that country, although 
not nearly so numerous as they were some years since. In New 
J ersey they are very rare, owing to the nature, I imagine, of 
the soil, and the face of the country; for these birds are the 
least maritime of their race, and, never, I think, frequent salt 
marshes, or water meadows of any kind ; of which most of the 
low lands in New Jersey consist, while its hills are not open 
sheep-walks, but rocky and wooded fastnesses, equally unfit for 
this Sandpiper’s abode. 
