170 
arriving in the end of April, and departing in 
September. It has a great resemblance to the 
Meadow Pipit, from which, however, it is easily 
distinguished by its short hooked hind claw. It 
inhabits the borders of woods in the arable districts, 
and is never found upon the moors or extensive 
downs, where the Meadow Pipit is most abundant. 
Itis generally, but thinly, dispersed in England, and 
occurs even more sparingly in the south of Scotland. 
Its song, which it pours forth from the top of a 
tree, or on the wing, as it slowly descends to the 
spot from which it had previously risen, is superior 
to that of the Meadow Pipit. It nestles on the 
ground, laying four or five eges, which, though 
varying much in size and colour, are usually pur- 
plish or greyish white, with spots or blotches of 
dark red or purplish brown. 
PLOVER, GOLDEN. 
WuHisTLING PLOVER. 
CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS, Lin. ° 
The Golden Plover is generally distributed over 
Britain in the winter season. So long as the 
weather remains mild, it frequents the open plains 
and ploughed fields, but betakes itself to the sea- 
shore and its vicinity on the approach of frost. 
Towards the end of spring the Golden Plovers 
