100 BIRDS OF NORFOLK. 



period (altliough showing tlieir usual time of appearance 

 and the localities they mostly frequent), yet whilst so 

 large a proportion have been killed in the neighbour- 

 hood of Yarmouth, where they are so keenly watched 

 for, there is no reason, I think, to infer that they do 

 not also visit other parts of the coast, where they are 

 far less likely to be distinguished from the more common 

 species. 



Mr. Frere informs me that, although observed on 

 Breydon only in small numbers, scarcely a year passes 

 without one or more examples being obtained in that 

 neighbourhood, either in spring or autumn. In the 

 former season they seem to arrive by the end of April or 

 beginning of May (as shown by the above list, most 

 frequently in the latter month) in company with other 

 migrants passing I'apidly northward at that period. On 

 their return passage they are again seen, occasionally, 

 about the first week in September, and stragglers, at 

 times, even in the winter months. The fact, however, 

 of this species having been seen in June, as recorded by 

 Mr. Gurney, is no proof that it has ever remained to 

 breed in this county (although it is quite jjossible that 

 it may have done so unobserved), its appearance, at such 

 times, being most probably accidental, as is the case 

 also with the sanderling, turnstone, and grey plover, of 

 which individuals may be seen, at chance times, during 

 every month of the year. 



I have not had the opportunity of examining speci- 

 mens of this bird in the flesh, but Mr. Gould describes 

 the bill and legs as hard and black, whilst the same 

 parts in the ringed plover are pulpy and yellow ; and in 

 all plumages the former may be recognised by the white 

 of the breast extending upwards to the chin, without 

 any interruption, which is not the case with the ringed 

 plover, even in its immature state. 



