Ti6 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



mon ; found in the south and south-eastern counties, 

 and Channel Islands. Very rare in Ireland. 



Observation. — Distinguish from Ringed Plover by 

 rather smaller size, paler appearance, and absence of 

 black gorget. 



Plumage. — Forehead, stripe over eye, chin, and under 

 parts white. Top of forehead, and band from base of 

 bill through eye and patch just below scapulars black. 

 Back of head brownish red ; upper parts ash-brown. 

 Outer tail-feathers white. Bill, legs, and feet black. 

 Length 6| in. Female, no black on forehead, and 

 duller. Young, stull duller, and more or less mottled 

 above. Nestling, much like the Ringed Plover. 



Language. — A sharp whistle, not unlike the Ringed 

 Plover's. 



Habits. — Much like the Ringed Plover, but exclusively 

 confined to the seashore, whereas the Ringed Plover is 

 found sometimes inland. 



Food. — Similar to Ringed Plover. 



Nest. — May. One brood. 



Site. — On bare ground, among shingle, pebbles, &c. 



Materials. — None. 



Eggs. — Three or four. Stone- or drab-colour, spotted 

 and scrawled with black and grey ; smaller than Ringed 

 Plover's ; much like Little Tern's, but pyriform shape. 



OSPREY [Pandion halicetus). 



It appears as a rare spring and autumn migrant. 

 It may stiU breed in some favourable spots in Scotland. 



Haunts. — Sea-coast, estuaries, and inland waters. 



Plumage. — Head and nape white, streaked with brown. 

 Upper parts dark brown, glossed with purplish. Tail 



