THE RINGED PLOVER 195 



fewer grayer markings. Singularly enough, in this species 

 the female is the most brightly coloured, and the less showy 

 male hatches the eggs and tends the young. Only one brood 

 is reared in the season. Insects, worms, and tender shoots of 

 herbage are the Dotterel's principal food. The Dotterel 

 migrates very quickly in spring, coming from its winter 

 haunts in Africa to England in a night ; but in autumn it 

 passes south more leisurely, and often stays a day or so on 

 the lowland pastures. 



