OF THE BEITISH ISLANDS. 135 



the Kentish Plover in being smaller, and in having paler legs. Length of 

 wing 4'2 to 3'7 inches, instead of 4'5 to 4'1 inches. M. dealbatus, a resident 

 on the coast of South China, Hainan, and Formosa. Differs from the Kentish 

 Plover in being a little larger, and in having pale instead of black legs, although 

 the latter is said not to be a constant character. Both these races more or less 

 iiitergrade, and can only be regarded as subspecifically distinct from the Kentish 

 Plover. M. nivosus, resident on the shores of Great Salt Lake and the adjoining 

 coast of California (from about lat. 40), southwards along the Pacific coasts to 

 Chili. Differs from the Kentish Plover in having pale legs and white lores. It 

 is also on an average a smaller bird (wing 4 - 4 to 4 - inches). 



Habits. The Kentish Plover is even more attached to the sand than the 

 Kinged Plover, and is rarely, if ever, found far from salt water, either on the shores 

 of the sea or estuaries, or on the banks of salt lakes at considerable distance 

 inland. The few birds of this species that breed on our islands arrive in their 

 accustomed haunts towards the end of April or the beginning of May, and although 

 odd birds have been picked up during winter, the main number begin to retire 

 again south in August, the migration lasting into the first half of September. 

 Its haunts in our islands are certain favoured sandy beaches, where the fine sand 

 is varied with patches of coarser shingle and strewn with pebbles. In its habits 

 it does not differ in any remarkable manner from the Ringed Plover, and searches 

 for its food on the margin of the waves, running quickly about the wet sands, 

 and occasionally wading for a little way into the receding waves in chase of a 

 crustacean or sand-hopper. Even during the summer it is by no means unsociable, 

 and gathers into small parties to feed. It is also by no means a shy bird during 

 the breeding season, and permits a close approach, especially when its eggs are 

 laid. Its flight is rapid, and very similar to that of the Einged Plover. It also 

 possesses the same habit of gliding along before alighting, with wings held arched 

 and rigid, and, like that species, frequently elevates its wings as it runs, both 

 before and after flight. Its alarm note is a shrill, harsh ptirr ; but the usual call- 

 note is a sharp, clear whit, which during the pairing season is uttered by the 

 male so quickly as to form a trill as the bird soars and flies round and round above 

 his mate. The food of the Kentish Plover consists of sand-worms, crustaceans, 

 mollusks, and insects. Much of this is sought amongst the drift near high-water 

 mark as well as near the ebbing or flowing tide. 



Nidification. Soon after its arrival at its breeding grounds the Kentish 

 Plover begins nesting, and the eggs are laid by the end of May, or, at latest, the 

 beginning of June. This species makes no nest beyond merely scraping a little 

 hollow in the sand or shingle, although it is said the eggs are sometimes laid on 

 dry, drifted seaweed, above the usual high-water mark. Numbers of nests may 

 be found quite close together, especially in places where the bird is common. 



