ess in extent. The young have no black band in
front, while the collar around the neck is ashy brown.

These interesting and valuable game birds are found associated with
various beach birds and Sandpipers, and they become exceedingly fat
during the latter part of the summer.

All the Plovers have a singular habit when alighting on the ground in
the nesting time; they drop their wings, stand with their legs half
bent, and tremble as if unable to support their bodies. In this absurd
position they will stand, according to a well-known observer, for
several minutes, uttering a curious sound, and then seem to balance
themselves with great difficulty. This singular manoeuvre is no doubt
intended to produce a belief that they may be easily caught, and thus
turn the attention of the egg-gatherer from the pursuit of the eggs to
themselves, their eggs being recognized the world over, as a great
delicacy.

The Plover utters a piping sound
While on the wing or on the ground;
All a tremble it drops its wings,
And, with legs half bent, it sings:
"My nest is near, come take the eggs,
And take me too,--I'm off my legs."
In vain men search with eager eyes,
No nest is found, the Plover flies!
--C. C. M

[Illustration: From col. F. M. Woodruff.
BELTED PIPING PLOVER.
Copyrighted by
Nature Study Pub. Co., 1897, Chicago.]

THE WILD TURKEY.

It has been observed that when the Turkey makes its appearance on table
all conversation should for the moment be suspended. That it is eaten in
silence on some occasions may be inferred from the following anecdote:
A certain judge of Avignon, famous for his love of the glorious bird,
which the American people have wisely selected for the celebration of
Thanksgiving Day, said to a friend: "We have just been dining on a
superb Turkey. It was excellent. Stuffed with truffles to the very
throat--tender, delicate, filled with perfume! We left nothing but the
bones!" "How many were there of you?" asked his friend. "Two," replied
the judge, "the Turkey--and myself!" The reason, no doubt, why this
brilliant bird, which so much resembles the domestic Turkey, is now
almost extinct. It was formerly a resident of New England, and is still
found to some extent as far north-west as the Missouri River and
south-west as Texas. In Ohio it was formerly an abundant resident. Dr.
Kirtlan