2G BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



plovers show the least development of the black plumage. 

 They are hardly black at all, merely marbled, with many 

 white feathers interspersed. Further north, in Shetland, 

 the plovers are much blacker ; but skins brought home 

 by my late brother Alfred from 70° north latitude, in 

 Finmark, were absolutely and intensely black. 



This more complete development of the perfect 

 typical plumage of the summer is not confined to the 

 golden plover : but appears (where applicable) a toler- 

 ably constant feature in ornithology. The brambling 

 {Fringilla montifringilld) affords a good illustration. 

 Those obtained by my brother in Lapland (70 north 

 latitude) were markedly more perfect in the glossy 

 blue-black of their heads and shoulders than specimens 

 obtained in Norway, on the Dovre-fjeld (latitude 6*3° 

 north) and on the Sogne-fjord (6i° north), at corre- 

 sponding seasons. Again, what other birds of the 

 known world attain so complete and perfect a summer- 

 transformation as that hyperborean quartette- — the bar- 

 tailed godwit, knot, curlew-sandpiper, and grey plover — 

 the last four species whose breeding-places remained 

 undiscovered ? The inference as to Polar origin in such 

 cases is irresistible. 



To return to the golden plover : — The first indication 

 of true migration (as distinguished from mere local 

 shiftings) occurs, in mild seasons, as early as the middle 

 of February. These new-comers are not, however, 

 the home-nesting plovers returning to their vernal 

 quarters ; but are a contingent of the northern races, 

 now taking a first preliminary stage of their longer 

 journey. They have come, probably, from no farther 

 than the lowlands and coasts of southern England, or 

 from Ireland. This section is recognisable in two 



