THE RINGED, THE GOLDEN PLOVER. 173 



'Fhere were Burrow-Ducks swimming and diving 



along ; 

 The Skylarks aloft loud were chanting their song; 



obtuse straight bill ; nostrils linear ; feet three toed, all placed 

 forwards, formed for running. The following are the chief: 



The Hiaticuluy Ringko-Plover, Sea^Lark, or Dulwilly, 

 weighs about two ounces ; length between seven and eight 

 inches; the bill, upper half orange, lower black ; the breast is 

 black, front biackish with a white band ; crown brown ; legs 

 yellow. It makes no nest, but lays four eggs in a small cavity 

 in the sand, just above high-water mark. Found plentifully iu 

 most parts of the world ; frequents our shores in summer, and 

 retires lo more sheltered places in the winter, at which time it 

 is gregarious; but does not leave the country, as has been com- 

 monly supposed. A variety found in Spain of a grey colour ; 

 another in America of an ash-grey. 



The Morinellus, or Dotterel, weighs about four or five 

 ounces; is in length nearly ten inches; the breast is ferrugi- 

 nous ; band over the eyes and line on the breast white ; legs 

 black ; another variety with considerable variation in its co- 

 lours. Inhabits Europe ; migrates to the north in summer to 

 breed. Is seen on our downs, heaths, and moors, from April to 

 June, and again in September and October. It is a stupid 

 bird, and easily shot. 



The Pluvialis, Golden-Plover, Green-Plovery Grey-Plover, 

 Whistling- Plover, weighs between seven and eight ounces; 

 length ten inches and a half; bill one inch. Body blackish, 

 spotted with yellowish green ; beneath white; legs black. In- 

 habits almost every where in England during the winter on 

 heaths and moors, and is a common object of sport ; it also fre- 

 quents the sea coasts. Retires to the mountains and unculti- 

 vated districts to breed ; eggs four, size of a lapwing's, colour 

 dirty white, blotched with purple. A variety in St. Domingo 



k 



