160 CHARADRIIDiE. 
in a^^tlmln and spring, cannot be said to be at any time 
abundant. I have noticed them on the small plash of water 
which after heavy rains is formed on the western part of the 
Neutral ground. 
On the 22nd of May, 1869, 1 killed a pair at one shot near 
the mouth of the Guadiarro, the male being in almost perfect 
summer plumage, the female not being so far advanced, 
and the eggs in her ovaries very slightly developed. It is 
very remarkable that this northern-breeding bird should 
linger so late in such a sunny southern country ; and I 
remember the day above mentioned was very hot for the 
time of the year. But the Grey Plover is not singular in 
thus remaining south so late; for both the Knot {Tringa 
canutus) and the Curlew -Sandpiper [T. subarquata) are 
equally loiterers late into the spring. 
The marks by which this species is to be distinguished 
from the Golden Plover {Charadrius pluvialis) are the 
presence of a very small hind toe and the black axillaries ; it 
is, moreover, a larger bird, and shore-frequenting, not being 
found inland like the Golden Plover. 
218. Charadrius pluvialis, Linn. The Golden Plover. 
Moorish, Tullit. Spanish. Chorlito. 
" This Plover is very abundant around Tangier in large 
flocks, which arrive during October and November, and which 
return to Europe in February and March.^^ — Favier. 
The Golden Plover occurs as above on the Andalucian side 
of the Straits ; but at the same time their numbers fluctuate 
very much, in some winters the quantity seen being very great. 
Upon their first arrival they are generally tame ; but being 
so much sought after by the cazadores, they soon learn their 
danger and become more wary. The earliest I ever noticed 
them near Gibraltar was on the 1st of November ; the latest 
was on the 6th of March. 
The best ground for Golden Plover is the vicinity of 
Tapatanilla. They always frequent the same places ; and if 
put up from any spot, they are almost certain to return 
within an hour or two. I regret to say that occasionally the 
