210 THE RINGED PLOVER. 



(viii.) GENERAL HABITS. 



The Ringed Plover is the sentinel of all the small waders, and 

 all the winter long the little flocks of Dunlin, Sanderling, and 

 Phalarope are accompanied by one or two Ringed Plovers which 

 do sentry-go. When the mud flats are bare at low water, and 

 the little birds are scattered over the mud feeding the flocks 

 become so inextricably mixed that the Ringed Plovers pjerform 

 this duty for the whole of the birds in the vicinity, When the 

 tide is high the little flocks retire to some shingly point or sandy 

 shore to doze away the time until the feeding grounds are again 

 uncovered. Whilst the Dunlin are quietly preening themselves, 

 or sleeping with one leg drawn up under them and their bills 

 tucked away under their wings, the Ring Plover sentinel stands 

 erect, eagerly scanning land and sea for danger. If it sees any- 

 thing to alarm it, it runs from bird to bird uttering its alarm 

 note, till the whole flock are awakened, when it takes flight, 

 leading its charges to some safer spot to continue their siesta. 



The Ringed Plover can, and, like many waders, does swim 

 with comparative grace and ease, and it is exceedingly fond of 

 bathing, especially in hot weather, when it will nearly soak its 

 feathers, and then stand on some sunny, warm, sandy beach to 

 preen and dry itself. 



The flight of the Ringed Plover is very rapid, and it twists and 

 wheels like a snipe ; if not seriously alarmed or only taking a 

 short flight it gives a few flaps of the wing to start, and then 

 glides with wings much down curved, every once now and again 

 recovering way by a quick beat of the wings. When in 

 flocks, the whole flock perform their evolutions with a unanimity 

 and precision which is wonderful, all turning and wheeling 

 at precisely the same moment ; except for single birds engaged 

 on sentry or pilot duty for a flock of small waders, the Ringed 

 Plovers generally keep together in a compact little flock, 

 separating on alarm from the other flocks of waders. During 

 the winter it is decidedly a wary little bird, but is quiet and 

 unobtrusive during the summer. It runs swiftly with great grace, 



