Retiring  to  the  dunes  and  meadows  back  of  the  beach  only
to  sleep  or  rest  when  the  tide  is  high,  we  most  frequently  see
this  active  little  sprite  running  nimbly  along  the  wet  sands,
poking  among  the  shells,  chasing  out  after  the  waves,  and  hur-
riedly picking  up  bits  of  food  before  being  chased  in  by  them,  or
flying  above  the  crests  short  distances  along  the  beach,  usually  to
escape  a  deluge  from  the  combing  breakers.  All  its  movements
are  alert,  quick,  graceful.  At  Muskegat,  where  this  plover's  nests
are  found  among  the  terns',  the  plover  loses  little  by  comparison
with  those  preeminently  graceful  birds.  Around  the  great  lakes

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Plovers

scattered  flocks  are  seen  in  the  migrations  chiefly;  but  it  is  on
the  secluded  Atlantic  beaches,  comfortably  distant  from  seaside
resorts,  that  we  find  the  piping  plover  most  abundant.
The  Belted  Piping  Plover  (/Egtalitis  meloda  circumcincta),  a
western  representative  of  the  preceding,  differs  from  it  only  in
having  the  black  links  on  the  breast  joined  to  form  a  band.
The  Mountain  Plover  (/Egialitis  montana),  a  distinctly  prairie
bird,  rather  than  a  mountaineer,  has  grayish  brown  upper  parts,
the  feathers  margined  with  chestnut;  the  white  under  parts  grow
yellowish  on  breast,  but  without  belt  or  patches;  the  front  of  the
crown  and  the  cheeks  black.  It  is  almost  nine  inches  long.  It
has  all  the  charming  grace,  quickness  of  motion,  and  winning
confidence  that  characterize  its  clan.  (Illustrations  facing  pp.  176
and  177.)

Wilson's  Plover

(/Egialitis  wilsonia)

length — 7.50  inches.
