175 
with slight streaks. The young, which are at first 
covered with down, leave the nest as soon as they 
are hatched, the mother leading them to some stony 
tract. 
PLOVER, RINGED. 
Ring DotTtTrereE.. 
CHARADRIUS HIATICULA, Lin. 
The Ring Plover is generally dispersed along 
the shores of this country, in which it is perma- 
nently resident. It collects in autumn into large 
flocks, which frequent the sands of bays and 
estuaries, often mingling with Sandpipers. Its 
food consists of insects, worms, and small crusta- 
ceous animals. It runs with great celerity, has a 
rapid flight, and emits a mellow whistling cry. 
Towards the beginning of April the flocks break 
up into small parties, when the individuals pair. 
The nest isa hollow formed in the sand, gene- 
rally not far from high-water mark, but some- 
times in the sandy pastures, and even far inland. 
The eggs, of which there are invariably four, are 
large and of a greyish yellow colour, slightly 
covered with small spots of brownish black. 
