at the end of April or the beginning of May ; the 

 time, however, varies with the state of the weather. 

 In the spring of 1867, they made their appearance 

 rather early in the north-western part of Perthshire, 

 and had taken up their summer quarters, when a 

 heavy fall of snow again drove them south, and 

 only about half a dozen pairs returned and nested 

 on ground where hundreds are generally found. 



It is a wonder how the eggs and young in such 

 exposed spots are enabled to withstand the effects 

 of the frost and snow. I have frequently observed 

 the newly-hatched young on the hills in close 

 proximity to snow-drifts twenty or thirty feet 

 deep. 



The bird is usually obtained in its finest 

 plumage immediately it arrives at its breeding 

 quarters ; soon after commencing nesting, white 

 feathers begin to show among the black, and its 

 handsome appearance is consequently spoiled. 



Like the Green Plover or Peewit, several 

 pairs are commonly found nesting in company. 

 When anyone approaches the neighbourhood of 

 their nests, they show the greatest concern, never 

 ceasing calling and flying round till the cause of 

 their annoyance has disappeared. 



The specimens in the case were obtained in 

 Glenlyon, in Perthshire, in the beginning of June, 

 1867. 



GOLDEN PLOVER (AUTUMN). 



Case 7. 



This is the plumage in which the bird is best 

 known to those living south of the Tweed. 



By the time the young are strong enough to 

 leave the hills, the old birds have mostly assumed 

 their autumn dress, and joining together in small 

 flocks, they make their appearance on the shores of 

 the Scotch firths. I have, however, occasionally 



