216 THE GUN: AFIELD AND AFLOAT 



other Scoters, the body of this duck is black, but it may 

 be readily distinguished from them by two oval patches 

 of white on the top of the head and back of the neck. 

 Length, 21 in. ; weight, about 2\ Ib. 



THE PLOVERS 



Of the plover tribe only some three species are of 

 much concern to the sportsman of this country. These 

 are the Golden and Grey Plovers, and the Lapwing or 

 Green Plover. 



THE GOLDEN PLOVER, Charadrius pluvialis, is held 

 in high esteem both for the sport it affords, and for its 

 excellence for the table. Golden Plover nest in con- 

 siderable numbers on the moorlands of England, Scot- 

 land, and Ireland. In autumn, thousands come over 

 from their breeding-haunts in Northern Europe to pass 

 the greater part of the winter in Great Britain or in 

 Ireland. The plumage of the Golden Plover being 

 closely spotted over with golden-yellow has given to the 

 bird its familiar title. Golden Plover frequent the arable 



