FOR CAGES AND AVIARIES. 153 



THE PLOVERS. 



The Dotterel. 



This is a much handsomer bird than the Ringed Plover, 

 but is somewhat difficult to describe: the head is dark 

 grey, with a streak of bright yellow running down from 

 the eye. to the neck; the throat is white with minute spots 

 of dark grey; the breast is darker grey with a still darker 

 lacing, then succeeds a narrow band of pure white, followed 

 by a broad ruddy patch and that by a black one, while 

 the rest of the lower parts are pale buff; the back is greyish 

 brown, the wings are brown of a darker shade, marbled 

 with lighter shadings of the same colour, and the tail is 

 yellowish grey with lighter margins to each feather. 



It is only a passing visitor with us on its way to breed 

 in the far north. Habits and food, same as those of the 

 other Plovers. 



The Golden Plover. 



This is a handsome creature, with jet black face, throat, 

 breast, belly and thighs, whitish grey sides marked with 

 dark grey spots; brown back, with black centres to the 



GOLDEN PLOVERS. 



feathers, and greenish yellow wings, also black centred: 

 the bill is dark horn colour, and the legs and feet yellowish- 



