204 GEDICNEMIDAG 
discernible. As I endeavoured to draw closer it rose, and 
flying off, startled the flock of Golden Plover which then 
joined it on the wing. 
Sometimes, however, the Great Plover is easily ap- 
proached and will run rather than fly when pursued. 
Though essentially a summer-migrant, arriving about 
April and departing in October, yet several stragglers have 
been known to remain until December or January, 
especially in Cornwall, and, to a less extent, in other parts 
of the south of England. A few of these birds may have 
crossed over to the east side of Ireland, and this would 
account for their appearance in that country in midwinter. 
Voice.—The voice is rather whistling in character, and is 
best heard on moon-lit nights; during the day this species 
is, as a rule, silent. 
Food.—The Great Plover feeds chiefly on nocturnal 
beetles, captured during and after dusk. In the gizzard of 
an immature bird, taken at Retford on October 10th, 1904, 
and sent me by the Rev. Julian Tuck, I found quantities of 
ear-wigs’ forceps ; the rest of the insects having been nearly 
digested. I also found pebbles 4 mm. in size and green 
vegetable-matter present. Various species of small reptiles, 
frogs, small mammals, worms and slugs, are also eaten. 
Nest.—This bird forms its nesting-place by scraping a 
hollow in sandy soil, or among loose stones or shingle. 'The 
egos, two in number, are light brown, spotted and streaked 
with grey, dark brown, and several intermediate shades. 
In addition to the counties of South-eastern England, 
where this species breeds, the nest has been found in the 
Midlands, Worcestershire, Lincolnshire and East York- 
shire; but west of Hereford the bird is almost unknown 
(Saunders). 
Geographical distribution—Abroad, the Great Plover 
breeds in Temperate Europe and Asia, while in Southern 
Europe and in Northern Africa it is resident to a large 
extent. Further south it can be traced to India and 
Ceylon. 
DESCRIPTIVE CHARACTERS. 
PLUMAGE. Adult male nuptial—Top of head, back of 
neck, back, scapulars, wings, and rump, light brown, with 
darker streaks; across the wings are two thin white bars ; 
primaries, dark brownish-black ; tail, tipped with black, 
and barred above with greyish-white, hight and dark brown ; 
