GOLDEN PLOVER 225 
GOLDEN PLOVER. Charadrius pluvialis (Linneus). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘ Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. iv, pls. 
38, 39: Dresser. ‘ Birds of Europe,’ vol. vii, pls. 515, 518, 
519; Lilford, ‘Coloured Figures,’ vol. v, pl. 14. 
Notwithstanding the fact that the Golden Plover is in 
great request for table- use, and that thousands find their 
way into the city markets, yet the numbers are kept up by 
the vast stream of migrants which reach our shores in 
autumn and early winter. Many pairs remain to breed, but 
this bird is much better known and more widely distributed 
as a spring and autumn migrant. It frequents the uplands 
of the interior as well as the slob-lands of our tidal estuaries. 
I have seen hundreds resting in fields, miles from the sea. 
In the month of August I have noticed a few adult birds 
Fie. 31.—GOLDEN PLOVERS. 
on the coast, still showing some of the black markings of 
the nuptial plumage. These are followed in September 
by vast droves of immature birds, which, on their arrival, 
are generally innocent of powder and shot, and so quite 
tame. At this season I have watched them on the ooze- 
flats feeding with Dunlins and other shore-birds. The 
Golden Plover runs in the same peculiar way as its con- 
geners ; 1t is not so active on the ground nor so sprightly- 
looking as the Ringed Plover. Numbers of immature birds, 
especially those which arrive ae in the autumn, appear 
to sojourn but a few days, after which they move south- 
ward; I have repeatedly noticed the strand deserted during 
the latter part of September and the beginning of October, 
15 
