When the female Snowy Plover is disturbed on the nest she will run over the sand with outstretched wings and distressing gait, and endeavor to lead the trespasser away from it. It sometimes utters a peculiar cry, but is usually silent. The food of these birds consists of various minute forms of life. They are similar in actions to the Semi-palmated (see July BIRDS), and fully as silent. Indeed they are rarely heard to utter a note except as the young are approached--when they are very demonstrative--or when suddenly flushed, which, in the nesting season, is a very rare thing, as they prefer to escape by running, dodging, and squatting the moment they think they are out of danger, in hopes you will pass without seeing them as the sandy lands they inhabit closely resemble their plumage in color, and says Mr. Goss, you will certainly do so should you look away or fail to go directly to the spot. The first discovery of these interesting birds east of Great Salt Lake was in June, 1886. A nest was found which contained three eggs, a full set. It was a mere depression worked out in the sand to fit the body. It was without lining, and had nothing near to shelter or hide it from view. [Illustration: From col. Chi. Acad. Sciences. SNOWY PLOVER. Copyright by Nature Study Pub. Co., 1898, Chicago.] ONLY A BIRD. Only a bird! and a vagrant boy Fits a pebble with boyish skill Into the folds of a supple sling. "Watch me hit him. I can, an' I will." Whirr! and a silence chill and sad Falls like a pall on the vibrant air, From a birchen tree, whence a shower of song Has fallen in ripples everywhere. Only a bird! and the tiny throat With quaver and trill and whistle of flute Bruised and bleeding and silent lies There at his feet. Its chords are mute. And the boy with a loud and boisterous laugh, Proud of his prowess and brutal skill, Throws it aside with a careless toss. "Only a bird! it was made to kill." Only a bird! yet far away Little ones clamor and cry for food-- Clamor and cry, and the chill of night Settles over the orphan brood. Weaker and fainter the moaning call For a brooding breast that shall never come. Morning breaks o'er a lonely nest, Songless and lifeless; mute and dumb. --MARY MORRISON. THE LESSER PRAIRIE HEN. Extending over the Great Plains from western and probably southern Texas northward through Indian Territory to Kansas is said to be the habitation of the Lesser Prairie Hen, though it is not fully known. It inhabits the fertile prairies, seldom frequenting the timbered lands, except during sleety storms, or when the ground is covered with snow. Its flesh is dark and it is not very highly esteemed as a table bird.