On the wing the difference is

 

have not done so for many years.
on the back, the large light.”
on the subject :—‘‘ I have compared the Ring-Plovers

medius) never breed at Shoreham zow, or
very apparent ; the small kind are always dark

The next is from Mr. Harting, no mean authority
with several specimens of
ainly is a difference between them in respect of

received from you on the 24th ult. Charadrius hiatieda obtained from different
localities and at different seasons ; and although there cert
size and plumage, still it is a question whether that difference is sufficient to constitute a species.

«‘T was inclined to believe, at one time, that an exam
establish the fact that we had two species of Ringed Plovers under one name, Charadrius hiaticula; but lam

otherwise, for the following reasons : —first,
some of the birds obtained on the 24th alt.

ination of a sufficient number of examples would

now led to think a character which was supposed to be
constant (viz. the outer tail-feather) has proved to be not so,
having the outer tail-feather on each side pure white, and others showing a dusky spot on the inner web of
the same feather ; secondly, the conviction that great allowance should be made for age, especially when we

consider that the young of C. Aeaticula are hatched as early
week of June; thirdly, the effect which climate, soil, and food may have upon the young, according to the

latitude in which they are batched—those which are re
ensis) being generally finer and stronger birds than those

as the first week of April and as late as the first

ared in the north (arguing from what has been

observed of other species, for example Alauda arv
reared further south.

«Were the peculiarities noticed
be necessary, upon the same principle, to separate the Savicola enanthe and some others.

“The question would then arise, ‘ Where is the line between species and variety to be drawn?’ in other

‘n this case considered sufficient to constitute them a species, it would

words, ‘ What constitutes a species ?’—a question which is not easily answered.”

Touching this subject, Mr. Robert Gray, in his ‘Birds of the West of Scotland,’ remarks :—* The
variation in the size of this species has been a source of much perplexity to me. In the spring-time I have
shot so many much smaller than the Ringed Plover which breeds with us that I have long thought, seeing
they only appear in spring, that they must belong toa southern race.

. © 7 V0 e 5 a » . . . 2 ar nS < ‘ ,

From the above passage it is evident that the smaller Dottrel visits Scotland; and that the other one
also does, I am certain; for the largest and finest skins I have in my collection were taken from specimens
killed in Orkney and sent to me by the late Mr. J. H. Dunn.

Speaking of the habits of Aigialitis hiaticula, Mr. Gray goes on to state :—‘* I have nowhere been
sh interested with this bird than in the Outer Hebrides, a district throughout which it abounds at
a > x or re , F ae » NN - % S

seasons of the year. Towards evening in the month of September, when walking along the sandy

 

bays of Benbecula, I have been startled with its cry, even after the sun had gone down and left all
. : : ia : : se r Oe . =
in comparative darkness. This note fell upon the ear with a strange effect as the flowing waves came
. 5
seething up on the dry sand < istur sleeping birds i 1
ee ie Dp y sand and disturbed the sleeping birds. That part of the coast beimg but little
visited, the little Plovers were exceedingly tame and fearless, allowing me to walk within a few feet of
them. Often I imagined that they met me in my walks, and alighted in wonderment near their extra-
ordinary visitor. On several occasions indeed, I observed them halt in their flight and sit down on
the sandy expanse right in front, saluting i i
g , Saluting me with a gentle whistle. On ver i 1
2 ; very warm eve 5 :
I have frequently been very much interested in watching the Ringed = ae ws ie
ee cae pesccuing Inge overs on the Girvan shore,
g andhoppers. ie numbers of these brisk little creatures living in the dry sand, and keeping
u y 2 e . 7 ro . . oO o 0 | :
p an animated dance for hours along some miles of the beach between Girvan and Turnberr st
have been immense, the line of high-water mark appearing as i i es
ee ¢ ark appearing as if covered with a dense smoke. On
alking, indeed, into the midst of these countless myriads of j i «vay, eae
A wile los een yrie jumping crustaceans, the noise is like
g hail-shower. ere the little Plovers s is i i it j
ee . ttle Plovers soon finish their evening meal ; and it is extremely
g ; ‘atch their restless prey, and swalloy 1
v them hurriedly, as thi | 4
With regard to th ird } ; Irriedly, as thay touch the ground.
g e bird in Norfolk, Mr. Stevens i ‘
; ie , . Stevenson says :—‘* The Ringe rer
eee : ays The Ringed Plover, one of our most
g indigenous species, may be said to possess, at least in Norf isti
ee east j | , at least in Norfolk and Suffolk, two distinct
xistence, bemg found throughout the breeding-season not onl
Sandyiwarredsiin tlie interior, where its sor’ eding-season not only on the coast but on the great
ae ; re its sprightly actions and me
about the mic arc
dle of March up to the end of August, w

shore and the mouths of our tidal rivers till the time once

lodious notes enliven those dreary wastes
hen young and old again retire to the sea-
r : more arrives for this stranee inl; Ree 9
The evos : ) : é ‘s for this strange inland migration.

ggs of the Ringed Plover, which are generally four in number 7 ie "a

T ; ei Ned are deposited i
ground, and, according to Yarrell, are of > posited in a hollow on the bare

a P ile buff € =. 9 c

ry
The figures in tl i
2 1 the accompanying : repres
beautiful plant is the S Mm ying Plate represent old and young birds, about the size of life. TI
plant is the Sea-pea (Pisum maritimum ) r — 5