Evening star., 1940-10-10
BY LILLIAN cox ATHEY.

by LILLIAN COA Al nE1.
Early in the present century this
handsome and valuable friend OF
ours was so reduced in numbers that
it was almost exterminated. Then
legal protection was sought by those
who knew the value of the bird,
whose food consists of 98 per cent
insect and animal matter. Today it
is gradually rebuilding its former
numbers.
It is said that almost every inhabi-
tant Of this country knows the noisy
and intriguing killdeer. Those who
have a more than bowing ac-
quaintance with this true plover are
always delighted to study it at close
range.
Killdeers are instinctively friendly.
Paying little attention to those go
ing about their regular duties, they
are, however, instantly on guard
when a stranger appears.
AS a spring migrant the killdeer
is one of our earliest shore birds.
1t often remains in its winter quar-
ters to rear its family. So the migra-
ton of the killdeer is not so marked
as that Of other shore birds.
The courtship of the killdeer is
always interesting. The members of
this family are decidedly air. minded
and the nuptial flight is spectacu-
lar. The male flies back and forth
over the area where he is quite
aware of the presence of his lady
love; he constantly utters the typical
killdeer theme song. Then he sta
tions himself on the ground some
distance from her, whirring rapidly
about while uttering his curious
suffering notes.
Every once in a while he hesitates
long enough to see how she is taking
his performance. She is quick to
turn her back on her suitor, pre-
tending utter indifference. This is
his special showoff, as his wings are
raised so that the beautiful patch
of ochraceous brown is exposed.
When he springs suddenly into the
air, mounting upward by success
sion Of wide, sweeping spirals, he is
swiftly followed by his lady fair. To-
gether they continue the flight until
they are a mere speck in the sky.
Faint sounds float down to the
eager, listening ear of the watcher
below.
Unlike most of the members of the
family group, the killdeer plover
does not restrict itself to building
near the sea, but enlarges its borders
by establishing the nursery site
near meadows, ponds, pastures and
even dry uplands which may be a
few feet or a hundred yards from
the water.
Though devoted to their offspring.
the parents pay scant attention to
furnishing the shallow cradle. Be-
yond a few stones, stalks Of weeds
and anything that may be lying
about, no serious effort Is made.
Little is added to the hollow, but
the material collected is scattered
near the nest. Within two hours
after the babies have dried their
downy coats, this strange furnish
ing" Of the nursery is picked up and
tossed away by the parents.
The nests proper may be on gravel
roads. spaces between railroad ties,
and in fact any places where unob-
structed views may be had by the
brooding bird-both parents sharing
this labor.
There are four eggs to the set,
and several clutches may be laid
during the season, which is from
early April to late June. They are
dull cartridge buff or light buff, so
spotted, blotched or scratched with
black or brown that it is most diff
cult to find them.
The wobbly-legged babies, clad In
their birthday coats Of down, soon