74 A BOOK OF BIRDS 



so many ways unlike the true or typical Plovers ; it is to be re- 

 garded, indeed, as the descendant of a more ancient stock, as a 

 side-branch of the tree which gave rise to the typical Plovers. 



Of these last we may regard the Golden Plover (Plate XIV. 

 fig. i) as a very good example. This is a fairly common British bird, 

 breeding in Devon and Somersetshire, parts of Wales, Scotland, and 

 Ireland, while their numbers are largely increased by migrants from 

 abroad during the winter months. 



In the spring of the year this bird dons a gorgeous livery of black 

 and gold above, set off by a jet-black breast. In the autumn the 

 feathers of the under parts become replaced by white, while the upper 

 by the reduction of the black markings become more golden. 



In America this bird is represented by a smaller race. 



The Ringed Plover (Plate XIV. fig. 4) is to be reckoned among 

 our commonest British shore-birds, breeding among the shingle of 

 the beaches. No nest is built, the eggs being deposited in a slight 

 hollow in the sand, and from their close resemblance to the surrounding 

 stones are exceedingly hard to find ; and the same is true of the downy 

 nestlings. 



The little Kentish Plover (Plate XIV. fig. 5) is a much smaller 

 bird, easily recognisable by the fact that the dark chest-band is incom- 

 plete. It arrives on the shores of England about April, and leaves 

 again in September. It is by no means a common bird, and is met 

 with most frequently in Norfolk and Suffolk, and on the shingle beaches 

 of Kent and Sussex. 



This bird is represented in America by a species distinguished by 

 having a patch of white, in place of black, between the beak and the 

 eye. 



The Lapwing (Plate XIV. fig. 2), or " Peewit," is the commonest 

 of the Plover tribe in Great Britain, though the lamentable practice of 

 eating its eggs is speedily reducing its numbers. This is greatly 

 to be deplored, as it is one of the most valuable of the farmers' 

 allies. 



The eggs, four in number, vary greatly in colour, and are laid 

 in a slight depression in the ground, little or no preparation in the way 

 of a nest being made for their reception. 



On the approach of winter these birds collect in large flocks, to 



