238 GRALLATORES. CHARADRIUS. DOTTEREL. 



a bird of the year, once fell before my own gun when shoot- 

 ing Grouse on the 20th of August. These, in all probability, 

 were birds of early hatchings, which appear frequently to 

 precede the main bodies of their species in the equatorial mi- 

 gration, as I have previously remarked in the history of the 

 Sanderling. The Dotterel has always been considered a stupid 

 bird, but for what reason I cannot conceive. I allow, that 

 on its first arrival, it shews but little fear of man, but 'this, 

 I apprehend, arises more from inexperience of persecution in 

 its native wilds, than from any other cause, and which ap- 

 pears evident from the birds, when harassed and repeatedly 

 fired at, soon becoming too cautious to admit of near ap- 

 proach any longer. Their habits also contribute to render 

 them unwary, for being nocturnal feeders (like many others 

 of the Charadriadee), they are at rest and asleep during the 

 greater part of the day, in which state also the Golden 

 Plover (a wary bird when roused) will frequently admit of 

 a close approach. As to the story of the Dotterel mimicking 

 the actions of the fowler, by stretching out its leg, wing, or 

 head, when he sets the example, it, without doubt, arose from 

 the motions that they, as well as other birds, usually and 

 most naturally make when roused from a state of repose ; and 

 which every one who attends to the habits of the feathered 

 race must (in flocks of Gulls, Plovers, Tringas, &c.) have 

 frequently observed. The Dotterel is particularly abundant 

 in northern Asia and the eastern parts of Europe. It inha- 

 bits Siberia, and the vast steppes of Tartary, frequently 

 living in the vicinity of the salt lakes and marshes of that 

 open region. It is also found, during its winter migration, 

 in Italy and Spain. The great body of these birds retires to 

 the high latitudes of Northern Asia, Russia, and Lapland 

 Alps to breed ; but the flocks which pass along the eastern 

 coast of our island are supposed to limit their flight to the 

 upland districts and mountains of Sweden and Norway. The 

 nest and eggs of the Dotterel have hitherto remained unde- 

 scribed. 



