328 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 



SOCIABLE PLOVER 



Vanellus gregarius {Pallas) 



This species is found inhabiting South Russia and the 

 Aralo-Caspian area. Until a few months ago, when a second 

 example was procured in Kent, it had only once (in i860) 

 been taken in England. 



The general colour above is drab ; crown of the head black, 

 margined with white. Quills black ; secondaries white ; tail 

 white, with a subterminal brown band. Chin white ; throat 

 buff ; breast brown ; belly black ; flanks and under tail-coverts 

 deep chestnut. Length 12 in. ; wing 8 in. 



KILLDEER PLOVER 



^gialitis vocifera {Linnceus) 

 This bird is a very rare abnormal migrant to the British 

 Islands, and only two examples of this American species have 

 been shot in England. It inhabits the Nearctic region with 

 the exception of the extreme north. It is a larger bird than any 

 of our other Ringed Plovers, which it somewhat resembles, but 

 it may be distinguished from its British allies by the lower 

 back, rump, and upper tail-coverts being rufous, a black sub- 

 terminal bar and white tip to all the tail feathers except the 

 central pair, and the presence of two narrow black bands across 

 the breast. Length 9-5 in. ; wing 6*5 in. 



RINGED PLOVER 



yEgialitis hiaticula {Linnceus) 



The Ringed Plover is a common spring and autumn coast- 

 ing migrant to these isles. 



Few people can have walked along our shores without 

 having their attention attracted by the plaintive whistle of this 

 delightful little bird. When it flies past, the dark ring stands 

 out in contrast to its white breast, while as it gets farther away 



