THE WADERS. 263 



the pointed end in the earth, but not to the centre as 

 those of most plovers. They are laid either on the 

 shingle, or, occasionally, in the deserted nest of a tern. 

 Eggs, 3, i^ inch; grey, with black spots and lines. 



Killdeer Plover. A very rare American straggler, which 

 has been obtained twice only in Hampshire and the 

 Scilly Islands. 



The Golden Plover, which retires to the inland moors to 

 breed, is known by its black plumage, profusely spotted 



G-olden with bright yellow. It is found breeding in 



Plover, the Hebrides, also in the Orkneys and Shet- 

 lands, the breeding-stations being on the moors and on high 

 land. The note of this bird, often heard at nights, is shrill 

 like that of the rest, though there is a more liquid sound 

 about it. Eggs laid in a depression slightly lined 4, 

 2 inches; greyish yellow, with dark-brown blotches. 



Lesser Golden Plover, of which there are two forms, the 

 American and the Asiatic. Each has occurred not more 

 than twice. 



The Grey Plover, a common winter visitor to the coasts 

 of these islands, chiefly on the east side, may be known 

 t Grey by the white line over the eye, and may be 

 Plover, further distinguished from the golden plover, 

 a bird of much the same size, by the absence of yellow 

 from the plumage and the presence of a hind-toe. I give 

 its general appearance in the winter plumage in which it 

 visits these islands, for in its Siberian breeding-stations 

 its breast is conspicuously black, the knowledge of which, 

 however, will not greatly assist in its identification while 

 with us. 



The Dotterel should more properly perhaps be regarded 

 as a passing visitor on spring and autumn pas- 

 sage, but a number breed in the Lake District. 

 According to Mr Saunders, its decrease in this country is 



