BRITISH BIRDS' NESTS. 209 



front of the shoulder or point of the wing, black ; 

 breast, belly, and under-parts white. Legs, toes, 

 and claws dark slate-colour. 



The female differs only in having the black on 

 the head and sides of lower neck less distinct and 

 covering a smaller area. 



Situation and Locality. In a hollow of the 

 sand or shingle ; sometimes on dry seaweed which 

 has been cast up by the waves. The breeding area 

 of the bird is very limited indeed, and its numbers 

 are gradually decreasing. In suitable places along 

 the coast between Hastings and Dover. 



Materials. None, the eggs being deposited in 

 a slight hollow. 



Eggs. Three to four, generally the former 

 number ; cream, stone, or dark buff in ground colour, 

 streaked, spotted, and blotched with brownish-black 

 and very dark grey. Size about 1*25 by *9 in. 

 More pyriforrn than those of the Lesser Tern, and 

 distinguished from those of the Ringed Plover by 

 scrawl- like character of markings. 



Time. May. 



Remarks. Migratory, arriving in April or early 

 in May, and departing in August or the beginning 

 of September. Notes : call, tirr, tirr, pitt, pitt, 

 pwee, pioee ; alarm, a plaintive and also a sharp 

 whistle. Local and other names : none. The bird 

 is gradually becoming scarcer as a breeding visitor, 

 and will probably, as such, become extinct before 

 long. In Yarrell's time the eggs were in great 

 demand as table delicacies, and dogs were trained 

 to find them. Does not sit closely, and runs on 

 quitting the nest. 



PLOVER, NORFOLK. See CUKLEW, STONE. 



