124 CHARADMUS HIATICULA. 



are all different, although one of them was long considered 

 the same. That species, Charadrius semipalmatus of Bona- 

 parte, is extremely similar, differing only in being somewhat 

 less, and in having the toes more palmated. The Ringed- 

 Plover, according to Mr. Thompson, " is common," in Ire- 

 land, " at all seasons, except summer, in small flocks around 

 the sandy or gravelly shores ; where also a limited number 

 annually breed." 



Young. — The young, which at first are covered with 

 very soft down, of a white colour, with dusky grey patches, 

 are, when fledged, as follows : — The bill is brownish-black at 

 the end, paler towards the base, a small portion of the lower 

 mandible flesh-coloured, the iris brownish-black, the feet 

 dull greenish-ochre, the claws black. The colours are dis- 

 tributed as in the adult ; but the feathers of the upper parts 

 are margined with light brownish-red, fading to greyish- 

 white, the dusky bands are brownish-grey, that on the fore- 

 head is wanting, the broad band on the neck meets but par- 

 tially in front, a large white space being left below. One 

 shot on the 26th of May has the upper part of the head 

 brownish-grey ; a Avhite frontal band ; a white collar, the 

 feathers there very soft, almost downy ; the dusky collar not 

 of a darker tint than the back ; the upper parts light brownish- 

 grey, the feathers all margined with reddish-white, within 

 which is a very narrow dusky line ; quills and tail-feathers 

 nearly as in the adult, the white on the wings of less extent. 

 This individual measured 7 inches in length, 15^ in extent 

 of wings. 



Progress toward Maturity.' — After the first moult, 

 which commences in the beginning of October, and is not 

 completed until the middle of spring, the young cannot be 

 distinguished from the adult. During this time the base of 

 the bill changes from black to brown, brownish-yellow, and 

 orange ; the feet from dull greenish-ochre to light reddish- 

 brown, brownish-yellow, and orange-yellow. The black 

 band on the forehead, and the black feathers which complete 

 the ring in front, are produced in March and April. 



