October 



in one field, while nearly as many golden plovers 

 will probably be in an adjoining one. With the 

 disappearance of the bold black of the cheeks and 

 under plumage of the summer dress, and the loss of 

 intensity in the gold-and-black mottling of the upper 

 parts, the golden plover, seen at a moderate distance, 

 then appears of a bufly-brown colour above, the 

 under parts being white. Still, in spite of the sharp 

 contrast it thus offers with the more permanent, 

 heavy, black and white markings of the lapwings, 

 one has but to note their common habit of standing 

 together in motionless flocks for prolonged periods, 

 the quick running gait with which they move, and 

 the similarly attentive attitude both strike when 

 watching an observer, to recognize a mental likeness 

 beneath their outward differences. At times, a small 

 flock of lapwings rise, and proceed in straggling 

 order with rounded, heavily flapping wings to a 

 neighbouring field ; then a small party of the golden 

 plovers get up together, and with sharply pointed, 

 rapidly beating wings, clear the hedge in brisk flight 

 and compact order, wheeling round sharply on skim- 

 ming wings as they come to earth. The contrast at 

 such times is further pointed by the well-known 

 "pee-wit ! " of the lapwings, and the slightly modu- 

 lated and somewhat plaintive musical whistle of the 

 golden plovers. 



These birds regularly frequent the fields mentioned 

 except during frost, and it is interesting to watch the 

 fading out of the black summer markings as autumn 



37 



