n6 OUR MIGRANT BIRDS 



mon ; found in the south and south-eastern counties, 

 and Channel Islands. Very rare in Ireland. 



Observation. Distinguish from Ringed Plover by 

 rather smaller size, paler appearance, and absence of 

 black gorget. 



Plumage. Forehead, stripe over eye, chin, and under 

 parts white. Top of forehead, and band from base of 

 bill through eye and patch just below scapulars black. 

 Back of head brownish red ; upper parts ash-brown. 

 Outer tail-feathers white. Bill, legs, and feet black. 

 Length 6| in. Female, no black on forehead, and 

 duller. Young, stull duller, and more or less mottled 

 above. Nestling, much like the Ringed Plover. 



Language. A sharp whistle, not unlike the Ringed 

 Plover's. 



Habits. Much like the Ringed Plover, but exclusively 

 confined to the seashore, whereas the Ringed Plover is 

 found sometimes inland. 



Food. Similar to Ringed Plover. 



Nest. May. One brood. 



Site. On bare ground, among shingle, pebbles, &c. 



Materials. None. 



Eggs. Three or four. Stone- or drab-colour, spotted 

 and scrawled with black and grey ; smaller than Ringed 

 Plover's ; much like Little Tern's, but pyriform shape. 



OSPREY (Pandion haUatus). 



It appears as a rare spring and autumn migrant. 

 It may still breed in some favourable spots in Scotland. 



Haunts. Sea-coast, estuaries, and inland waters. 



Plumage. Head and nape white, streaked with brown. 

 Upper parts dark brown, glossed with purplish. Tail 



