OP THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 133 



the Mediterranean and Africa to winter. Von Heuglin is of opinion that the 

 Ringed Plover breeds on the coasts of the Red Sea ; Gould says that he received 

 an example from Australia ; and some writers have asserted that the bird occasion- 

 ally visits Northern India. All these statements require confirmation. 



Allied forms. Mgialitis major, and Mgialeus semipalmatus. For par- 

 ticulars of which see preceding chapter. 



Habits. The habits of the small race of the Einged Plover are not known 

 to differ in any important respect from those of its larger ally. It is a rather late 

 migrant, probably because it spends the summer in the Arctic regions, where the 

 season is later than in more southern latitudes. It is said to leave its winter 

 quarters in Africa during April and May, and to pass along our coasts during May 

 and the beginning of June. Many birds cross Continental Europe and Western 

 Asia, following the great river valleys to and from the Arctic haunts. In 

 the valley of the Petchora Messrs. Seebohm and Harvie-Brown noted the arrival 

 of the Ringed Plover at Ust Zylma on the 26th of May, about a week after 

 the ice on the great river began to break up and midsummer had suddenly 

 displaced midwinter. Further east, in the valley of the Yenisei, the bird appears 

 to be a little later, and Mr. Seebohm did not observe it until the 8th of June. 

 Nearly ten degrees further north it is probably later still in its arrival. This race 

 is said to migrate in flocks which do not mix with the larger form. It frequents 

 the banks of rivers, sandbanks, and the margins of lakes, as well as the flat, sandy 

 coasts. It is not known to differ from the larger race in the manner of its flight, 

 its food, or its notes. The southern migration commences at the end of August, 

 and lasts until October. 



Nidification. The small race of Ringed Plover is not known to differ in 

 any respect from its larger ally in the matter of its nesting arrangements. Of 

 course, this may be owing to the neglect of observers, who, having the means of 

 studying this portion of its economy, have confused the two races. It is a rather 

 remarkable fact that Colonel Feilden found a nest of this race lined with the green, 

 fleshy leaves and stems of Atriplex littoralis, a fact which suggests, if it does not 

 actually prove, a difference of habit. It may be that in the high north some sort 

 of lining is added to the sandy nest for the purposes of warmth. The eggs of this 

 race are four in number, and although they do not differ in colour they are 

 constantly and very perceptibly smaller. One brood only, it appears, is reared in 

 the year, and as soon as the young can fly the short, hot Arctic summer is well- 

 nigh waning, and the southern migration begins. 



Diagnostic characters. jEgialitis,v/ith the upper parts slightly darker 

 than those of the preceding race, otherwise the characters (excepting the following) 

 are the same : length of wing, 5'2 to 4'8 inches ; total length, 7 inches. 



