_Tilderee._—_Tell-tale._
_Ægialites vociferus._
_Charadrius vociferus_, +Linn.+—Aud. pl. 225.
_Ægialites vociferus_, +Boie+.
[97] Length 9¹⁄₂ inches, expanse 18, flexure 5¹⁄₂, tail 3³⁄₁₀,
rictus ⁸⁄₁₀, tarsus 1⁶⁄₁₀, middle toe ¹⁹⁄₂₀.
It is in the large open pastures of the lowlands that the Tell-tale
dwells. The traveller, as he passes along, is startled by the sudden
rise of a dozen or twenty of these birds, almost from under his feet,
before unseen, but now manifesting their presence by the shrillest
cries, as they wheel swiftly round in a large circle, alighting near
the spot whence they arose. In winter great numbers flock to the
stony plains, which flying in a dense body afford a fair mark to the
sportsman, by whom their flesh is esteemed. The majority of these birds
seem to be merely winter visitants, but a few certainly do remain with
us through the summer. Robinson says, they lay their eggs among the
stones near the rivulets.
One which was shot and wounded in the wing I introduced to the doves,
in a large packing-case, the front of which was removed, and replaced
by gauze. Immediately on being put in, it began vigorously charging
at the gauze, as if it had no idea of any impediment there, running
backward a little way, and then dashing at it; and this without an
instant’s intermission, now and then leaping up, and uttering its wild
cry. For a few minutes its impetuous motions seemed to stupify all the
doves, who gazed in astonishment; but presently a young Bald-pate, who
occupied one of the front corners, a very cross and surly fellow, began
to peck and beat the little Plover, driving him about the cage without
mercy. I had been struck at the first entry of the bird with its
remarkable height, owing to the length of the tarsi, and the upright,
bold attitude in which it stood. At length to escape the persecutions
of the Bald-pate, it suddenly squatted down in one of the back corners,
bringing the tarsi flat on the ground, and the tibiæ on them, so that
I was now struck with its flatness and closeness to the ground; and
I saw how it is that we so often hear their cry very near, when we
can see no trace of them, and often suddenly lose sight of them when
watching them running. I feel assured that this squatting is the bird’s
natural resource for concealment; for on being alarmed suddenly, its
first impulse is to bend partially the heel, bringing the body nearer
the ground; if the danger appear to increase, it brings the tarsi flat,
the tibiæ still being inclined; the body seems now in contact with the
ground; but a greater terror brings it still lower, so that it really
appears as if half sunk in the earth; and now no advance of the danger
affects it, if there be no opening to run; it lies quite passive; its
resource is exhausted.
My captive lay thus unmoved for a while, though the restless Pea-doves,
in running from side to side, walked over it, trampling it under foot
at every turn. When it did get up, however, and came to the front, it
was again instantly assaulted by the Bald-pate, who struck it with his
wing, and seized its beak with his own, and pinched it. Pitying it
under these inflictions, I took it out, and allowed it to run about
the room. Its actions now became quite entertaining; it ran backward
and forward with surprising fleetness, but, not being used to the
smoothness of board, though the floor was not at all polished, and
wanting the support of the back-toe, its speed was continually causing
it to slip, the feet sliding forward, so as to bring the bird down upon
its tail. Now and then it would stop, and make repeated efforts to
jump over the skirting-board, which being black, and the wall white,
I suppose it mistook the latter for empty space. While doing this, it
ever and anon emitted its loud pipe with startling shrillness. Having
run into a corner, it allowed me to take it up in my hand without
fluttering. When it stood, it jerked its head up and down. It was
exceedingly active, when not lying close for concealment; it was not
still a moment; besides the flirting of the head and tail, a tremulous
motion pervaded the body, so that it seemed to be shivering. When about
to take a single step, this was manifested in an odd manner; the foot
touching the ground three or four times before it was put down. When
it had become more at home, it devoured earthworms greedily, and would
pick minute shells and _entomostraca_ from a saucer of water, in which
was a root of water-cress. In the cage it delighted to stand in its
water-saucer, but when loose, the saucer being placed in one corner,
it would run rapidly in and out, now and then stopping to pick at the
contents.
* * * * *
My own acquaintance with the Grallatorial and Natatorial visitants
of Jamaica is but slight. On the authority of Mr. Hill, I add to
the _Charadriadæ_ above mentioned, the Ring Plover (_Ægialites
semipalmatus_), the Golden Plover (_Charadrius Virginiacus_),
the Squatting Plover (_Squatarola Helvetica_), and the Turnstone
(_Strepsilas interpres_).
+Fam.+—ARDEADÆ. (_The Herons._)