restless, and noisy Killdeer is common throughout the
United States, in nearly all parts of which it is known
to breed, wintering, however, generally to the south of
Massachusetts. In the winter it is confined to the
coast; but about the beginning of May it resorts to the
fields or level pastures which happen to be diversified
with pools of water, or to the barren sandy downs in
the immediate vicinity of the sea, w'here it lays its eggs,
usually four in number, in a slight hollow lined with
such straw and dry weeds as come most convenient.
At all times noisy and querulous to a proverb, in the
breeding-season nothing can exceed the Killdeer’s
anxiety and alarm; and the incessant cry of Jcilldeer,
killdeer, or te te de dit and te dit, as they waft themselves
about overhead, or descend and fly around you,
is almost deafening.”
I gather that in general habits and food this bird
combines some of the characteristics of our “ Peewit ”
with those of the other species of the genus Mgialilis.
