172 HANDBOOK OF BRITISH BIRDS 



RINGED PLOVER. jEgialitii^ hiaticula (Linnseus). 

 PL 19, figs. 5, 6. Length, 7-75 in. ; bill, -5 in. ; wing, 

 5'3 in. ; tarsus, '9 in. 



One of the commonest of British shore birds, and 

 next to the Dunling [Tringa alpina) perhaps the most 

 numerous. The two species are frequently found in 

 company ; but while the former, as a rule, breeds on 

 the coast, the latter goes inland to breed on the moors. 

 The Ringed Plover, however, breeds on the warrens at 

 Beechamwell, near Swaffham, and at Thetford, many 

 miles from the sea, as well as on the pebbly shores 

 of the lakes and larger rivers in Scotland ; and 

 although it may be found upon some parts of the 

 coast throughout the year, it is migratory in spring 

 and autumn, at which seasons I have constantly seen 

 small flocks so near London as Kingsbury Reservoir. 



To show the protective coloration of the eggs, 

 which are usually laid (four in number) on the 

 shingle and sandhills of the coast, I have reproduced 

 a photograph of a nest and given some account of 

 the habits of this bird (Zool, 1891, p. 448). 



An abnormal nest lined with leaves and stems of 

 Atriplex littoralis has been described by Col. Feilden 

 {^Zool, 1886, p. 418). 



KENTISH PLOVER. jEgialitis cantiana (Latham). 

 PI. 19, figs. 7, 8. Length, 7 in. ; bill, '5 in. ; wing, 4-3 

 in. ; tarsus, -9 in. 



A spring and autumn migrant, breeding annually 

 on the coasts of Kent and Sussex. It has been met 



