THE GOLDEX PLOVEK. 245 



March, the appearance of black in the breast is seen 

 increasing gradually until this part becomes quite black, 

 but after the time of incubation this tint disappears, 

 and the belly becomes white. There is little difference 

 between the male and female, and in the young birds 

 the spots are not of a full yellow, but rather inclined 

 to a grey colour. This elegant bird remains in the 

 kingdom the entire year, and breeds on many of our 

 high and unfrequented mountains. 



]Many of the golden plovers are found in the Isle of 

 Eum and others of the lofty Hebrides ; it is also found 

 in the Grrampian Hills, and all the heathy hills of the 

 islands and Highlands of Scotland. Vast numbers of 

 them are found in the Orkneys, from which they do 

 not altogether migrate ; they lay four eggs, rather more 

 pointed in shape than that of the peewit or lapwing, 

 two inches in length, and of a pale cinereous olive, 

 speckled with blackish spots. The birds fly in small 

 flocks, and the whistling from which they derive their 

 name may be heard from a considerable distance when 

 flying, and by a skilful imitation of their note they may 

 be enticed within shot. 



In winter they may be found in various parts of 

 England ; a great number are shot and snared in Devon- 

 shire and Somersetshire, as they much frequent the 

 meadows, moist grounds, and swampy parts of these 

 counties. The Bath market is well supplied in this 

 season with these excellent birds for the table, and are 

 sold at about 2s. 6d. the brace; and in flavour and 

 delicacy of taste I think they may almost compete with 

 the woodcock, and they are dressed, like these birds, with 

 their trail. Sometimes I have found little difficulty in 



