CHARADRIID^, 



535 





THE GREY PLOVER. 



Squatarola helvetica (Linnaeus). 



This is a larger bird than the Golden Plover, with a more robust 

 bill, and may be recognized on the wing by its black axillay-ies as 

 well as its white tail-coverts ; while in the hand the presence of 

 a distinct hind-toe is an unfailing characteristic. Numerically it is 

 less abundant than that species, and is, as a rule, more restricted to 

 the sea-coast and vicinity during its visits, which extend from early 

 in autumn till late in spring. A few black-breasted birds return from 

 their northern quarters by the end of July or beginning of August ; 

 the majority of the young arrive in September, and the bulk of the 

 adults come in October and November, after completing their moult. 

 Large numbers spend the winter here, and flocks of a score to a 

 hundred may be seen on the sea-shore and mud-flats in spring up 

 to the end of ALay, by which time the black breast has been 

 assumed ; while birds which are not breeding remain till June and 

 even July. Though a regular \isitant to Ireland, it is less numerous 

 there than in Great Britain, in which, again, it is more abundant on 



