56 THE BIRDS OF RAINHAM. 



traffic on the Medway they are. somewhat thinly 

 scattered but, notwithstanding the noise of vessels, 

 our river flats are never without Ring Plover in the 

 autumn and winter. 



GREY PLOVER. 



Squatarola helvetica (Linn.). 



The Grey Plovers make their appearance on the 

 Medway in the month of November, our sportsmen 

 are then fully on the alert, and those which the 

 vessels do not drive away generally fall into their 

 pockets. 



PEEWIT. 

 Vanellus vulgaris, Bechs. 



Our marshes are never without Peewits in the 

 spring of the year, where they lay their eggs and 

 sometimes breed ; they flock together on our 

 ploughed fields in the autumn, doing much good by 

 feeding upon the snails and probably other insect pests, 

 but I am sorry to say they are much persecuted. 



TURNSTONE. 

 Strepsilas interpres (Linn.). 



A few Turnstone Plovers come on the Medway in 

 the autumn and are met with sparingly in winter ; on 

 one occasion a specimen was procured August 1 892, 

 in summer plumage. 



