GOLDEN PLOVER. 291 



corresponding seasonal changes in the plumage, 

 with the last, differs in structure in the absence 

 of the hinder toe ; nevertheless, as stated, we con- 

 sider, in these birds, that too much consequence 

 has been set upon this form, and, for the present, 

 prefer retaining them with S. Firginianus, as con- 

 generic. In Britain, the Golden Plover is one. of the 

 most abundant species, being found on the coasts, 

 generally in vast flocks, during winter ; and, in 

 summer, retiring to all the wide tracks of alpine 

 moor which occur in Scotland and Ireland, ex- 

 tending northward to Orkney and Shetland, and, 

 wherever such localities occur, to England. In 

 Scotland, they reach their breeding grounds early 

 in spring, and select some spot, from which they 

 do not stray far. These are chosen both in the 

 subalpine moorlands, and on the tops of hills of 

 considerable elevation. The breeding plumage is 

 altered almost immediately after the station has 

 been fixed upon ; and, when incubation has com- 

 menced, the appearance of an intruder causes re- 

 iterated utterance of their wailing cry, the birds 

 flying around, and perching on some raised mossy 

 hillock in the vicinity. The nest is scarcely more 

 than a scratched hollow, very few grasses or lining 

 material being used. When the young birds have 

 attained their full plumage, the broods congregate 

 together, and may be found in large flocks, fre- 

 quenting for a time their moorland locality. As 

 autumn advances, they descend to the lower mea- 

 dows or fallows, collecting fresh numbers; and, 



