Annual report . one slightly of the intricate dances of the Brazilian lap-wing, as described by Mr Hudson. The Killdeer runs nimbly and swiftly with its wings well folded aboveits tail, the head gathered in, the tail straight and the whole body slightlyinclined forward. After proceeding a few yards it suddenly stops, standserect and looks about. Its food is seized with a ducking motion and swal-lowed directly. As they feed almost entirely on insects which are injurious BIRDS OF NEW YORK 351 to the agriculturalist, they must be regarded as a beneficial species. Thedozens of stomachs of killdeer
Annual report . one slightly of the intricate dances of the Brazilian lap-wing, as described by Mr Hudson. The Killdeer runs nimbly and swiftly with its wings well folded aboveits tail, the head gathered in, the tail straight and the whole body slightlyinclined forward. After proceeding a few yards it suddenly stops, standserect and looks about. Its food is seized with a ducking motion and swal-lowed directly. As they feed almost entirely on insects which are injurious BIRDS OF NEW YORK 351 to the agriculturalist, they must be regarded as a beneficial species. Thedozens of stomachs of killdeers which I have examined contained smoothcaterpillars, beetles, grasshoppers and a few water insects. On accoimtof its beneficial and interesting habits, as well as its small size of body, andthe inferior quality of its flesh, this bird should be removed from the listof game birds and left to enliven the landscape with its sprightly voice andmanners, and to assist the farmer in the destruction of noxious Killdeers nest and eggs Photo by James H. Miller The eggs of the Killdeer are laid in a slight depression sparsely linedwith bits of straw and pebbles, usually in a pasture, cornfield or old bird leaves the nest while danger is yet afar off, provided the dangeris of human kind, but when cattle or horses come near the nest she makesa great disturbance as if to drive or lead them away. A young friend ofmine once found a Killdeers nest while riding across a common, the oldbird fluttering and screaming about his horses feet so fiercely that he dis- 3 52 NEW YORK STATE MUSEUM mounted and discovered the eggs. The following day I visited the localityto photograph the nest, but although I had received careful directions nobird or eggs could be found. The next day I returned with more explicitdirections and walked directly to the eggs, but although they were quitewarm no bird was seen. The few nests which I have found were discoveredb}^ coming suddenly over a rise of
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectscience, bookyear1902
