SHORTER-BILLED RUNNING BIRDS. 241 



trailing her wings as she drags herself about the ground 

 like a wounded bird. Before and after the breeding 

 season Ringed Plovers mix with other shore species — 

 Oyster-Catchers, Turnstones, Dunlins, &c. When put 

 up, they circle out over the sea closely packed, shading 

 now brown, now white, as they turn the upper or the 

 under parts to view. When feeding they run beside 

 the water, running forward or backward as it ebbs 

 and flows. Probably because the Ringed Plover is 

 also to some extent an inland breeder, it is met any- 

 where beside inland waters at times of migration. 



KENTISH PLOVER— 6i inches. (Kent and Sussex coasts.) 

 The black straps on the crown and sides of face are 

 similar to those of the Ringed Plover, but in place of 

 the black collar there is a patch of black at each side of 

 the chest, the two patches failing to meet in front to 

 complete a collar ; bill and legs black. 



DOTTEREL.— Form, like Ringed Plover (plate 104). 

 9 inches. Ashy-brown above, with lighter edges 

 to the feathers, and white tips to the tail-feathers ; 

 crown black, with a white margin all round, forming 

 a very conspicuous eyebrow ; face white ; broad 

 ashy-brown band on the chest ; a narrower white 

 band below it ; breast and flanks bright chestnut ; 

 belly black, followed by white beneath the tail ; bill 

 and legs dusky. Summer migrant. 



Eggs. — 3, yellowish-olive, densely blotched with 

 dark brown ; 1-6 ^ I'l inch (plate 132). 



Nest. — Merely a little mossy depression. 



The Dotterel is a small Plover nestino- on the 



