i6o Allen's naturalist's library. 



separated it as a distinct race under the name of ^. major, but 

 I have found that the size of individuals in this species varies 

 greatly, and that it is impossible to recognise this larger race as 

 distinct. Small specimens of Ringed Sand-Plovers often occur 

 on our southern coasts, and are, doubtless, migrants from the 

 continent of Europe. 



Range outside the British Islands — The present species is spread 

 over Europe generally, and extends very far north, having been 

 found on Jan Mayen and to the north of Spitsbergen, while it 

 also occurs in Greenland up to 70° N. lat., and in Cumberland 

 Gulf on the opposite coast of America. It extends eastward 

 as far as Lake Baikal, and breeds rarely in Turkestan. Strag- 

 glers are found in North-western India, but the bulk of the 

 individuals which migrate from northern latitudes visit Africa 

 during our winter, and range even to the Cape of Good Hope. 

 Occasional instances have been noted of the occurrences of 

 the Ringed Sand-Plover in America, but a single record for 

 Australia is not reliable. 



Habits. — A common local name for this species is the " Sand 

 Lark," but near Sidlesham and Pagham, in my younger days, 

 the favourite name was " Wide-a-wake," and the local gunners 

 called this bird by the latter name on account of its exceed- 

 ing wariness, and that this is its true quality must have been 

 experienced by anyone who has tried to approach the bird in 

 autumn. During the breeding season they are more easily 

 obtained, on account of the great solicitude they evince for 

 their nest, and more particularly for their young. Although in 

 August and September they may be seen feeding on the 

 mud-flats, either singly or in pairs, they are often in company 

 in flocks of Dunlins, especially when the latter resort to the 

 sea-beach to rest during the time that the tide in the harbour is 

 full. On these occasions if the collector tries to stalk the 

 Dunlins he will see the flock engaged in quietly preening their 

 feathers or dozing away the time until the tide recedes and 

 the mud-flats are uncovered. Should he come too near, the 

 first sign of movement will be the active running of a Httle 

 " Wide-a-wake," who trots about near the quiescent Dunlins, 

 uttering at times his piping note of alarm, and as a rule he suc- 

 ceeds in arousing a whole flock, and leading them out to sea. 



