THE KINGED PLOVER 



(Charadrius hiaticuld) 



As you wander along the broad stretches of rich brown 

 sand and cross the patches of shingle and broken shells, you 

 may often see a little bird running along the edge of the 

 waves, looking very conspicuous in its dress of white and 

 brown and black. This is the Einged Plover, a bird that 

 may be found along those portions of the coast suitable to its 

 requirements all through the year. Sometimes, especially in 

 autumn and winter, you may meet with him on the mudflats 

 tripping daintily over the shore, dodging the waves that ripple 

 at his feet, and occasionally running into the water for a little 

 distance to pick up some floating particle of food. He also 

 frequents the banks of the tidal rivers ; and during spring 

 and autumn often visits large inland sheets of water, where 

 he fraternises with the Common Sandpiper. But his favourite 

 haunt is on the sandy coast or on the shores of the broad 

 mountain lakes and salt-water lochs. If wary, he is by 

 no means shy, and, provided you do not alarm him, 

 he will trip about before you and let you observe his 

 every action. During autumn and winter this little bird 

 lives in flocks of varying size. If the district is suitable 

 and food plentiful, the birds gather into large assemblies ; 

 if the sands are limited in extent, only small parties are 

 met with. 



There is not a more active or engaging little bird on the 



