THE GOLDEN PLOVER. 4]

air, and disperse for the season. They
usually go about, however, in small flocks,
and when alarmed, while on the wing, or
giving their call to those feeding round
them, they have a wild, shrill, and whis-
tling note, and are at times timid, watchful
and difficult to approach. In the evening,
they disperse and repose apart from each
other. At daybreak, however, the feeling
of solitude again returns, and the early
sentinel no sooner gives the shrill call,
than they assemble in their usual com-
pany. At this time they are often caught
in great numbers, by the fowler, with the
ald of a clap-net, stretched before dawn,
‘n front of the place where they pass the
night. |