My Waders Aviary. 97 



flanks and under tail coverts whitish mottled with black. Total 

 length 10 inches, bill Ih. 



In winter the plumage is ash-grey above, and whitish flecked 

 with grey below. 



In a wild state these liirds are to be found around 

 our coasts in the winter months only, for towards the com- 

 mencement of spring they mi^i^rate to their breeding haunts 

 in Iceland, Greenland, and Arctic America. 



In captivity they thrive and keep fit on small biscuit 

 meal and chopped raw liver, and are also very fond of earth- 

 worms, insects, etc. To anyone starting a Waders' aviary 

 this species is to be strongly recommended. 



Their value varies from Gs. to 15s. per pair, accord- 

 ing to condition, whether freshly caught, etc. 



Ttie Gkeen Plovrii (Vanellus vulgaris, Bech.j. Prob- 

 ably the next in popularity are the Plovers, and of these the 

 Grreen Plover or Lapwing is tlie most frequently kept and per- 

 haps the best known. This species, like the Knot, readily 

 becomes accustomed to captivity, and thrives on the same food. 

 The Green Plover breeds in England, and although it has 

 never, so far as I know, been bred in captivity, yet itt 

 strikes one as being a likely species to do so. 



DESCRirTioN: Adult male. In breeding plumage the crown 

 and crest are greenish-black; sides of neck whitish; upper parts 

 metallic-green, glistening with purple and bronze reflections; tail 

 whi'e with a sub-tterminal black band; throat and breast black 

 with a blue sheen; belly and abdomen white; upper and under 

 tail-coverts light fawn-colour. Total length 12^ inches. 



Ringed Plover, (^l^Jnialiti^ liiaticola, LINN.) It is 

 fairly common round the coast, but not so easy to procure or 

 to meat off as the other species. Tliey seem to require an 

 abundance of small insect life, and when first put with other 

 Waders, are liable to be starved by their larger companions, 

 unless well looked after. 



The value of a pair ranges from 15s. to 25s. 



The Grey (Squatdrola helvetica, LINN.), and the Golden 

 Plovers (Charddrius pluvidUs, LINN.}, are very similar in build 

 and very hardy; the difference being in the ground colour 

 of the back, grey in the former and golden-yellow in the latter. 

 The Grey Plover is only met with in England during the 



