146 BIRDS OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 



on sides ; legs and feet greenish ; no hind toe ; bill, basal 

 end, yellow ; outer half black. The sexes are alike. 

 Length, 1 foot 5 or G inches. Eye large and prominent, of 

 a golden yellow colour. 



This bird is migratory, arriving in April or Ma}'', and de- 

 parting in September or the beginning of October. It is 

 chiefly found in the eastern English counties, and is 

 mostly seen either singly or in pairs, except when they are 

 about taking their departure, when they assemble in flocks 

 of from seven or eight to forty or more. The}^ frequent 

 open country, commons, heaths, etc., near the coast. 



They feed on insects of all kinds, worms, and snails. 

 The eggs, generall}' two, are laid among loose stones, which 

 tliey resemble in appearance, and the young run as soon as 

 hatched. 



Although naturally very shy, the great, or Norfolk, 

 ])lover, as this Idrd is often called, is readily tamed, and 

 lives for a long time in conflnemcnt. 



THE PLOVERS. 

 Tiie following is an enumeration of the British species: — 



Family — Cliaic xdriii iiV. 



Genus — \. Charadriiis. C. pluvialis. Golden Plover. 



2. Sqiiatcrola. S. helvetica. Grey Plover. 



3. yEgitialis. /E. Jiiatictila. Ringed Plover. 



4. Eiidroinias. E. viorincllus. Dotterel. 



5. Vanellus. K vulgaris. Lapwing, 

 C. Stnpsilas. S. interpres. Turnstone. 



7. HiCJiiatopus. H. ostralcgiis. Oyster-Catcher. 



Golden Plover. — Bill dark horn ; eye dark yellowish 



