204 BRITISH BIRDS' EGGS. 



riform, of a pale buff or cream ground-colour spotted with 

 grey and black, or blackish-brown. 



THE KENTISH DOTTEREL, Charadrius Cantianus. This 

 species, far less common than the last, frequents those parts 

 of the coast which are flat and sandy or shingly, depositing 

 its eggs, four in number, and of a light-yellowish colour 

 with spots and pencillings of deep-brown or black, in a 

 hollow in the sand or shingle. 



THE LITTLE RINGED DOTTEREL. Charadrius minor. This 

 is one of our rare British species, but few specimens having 

 been obtained. It differs in its habits from the two last in 

 frequenting the banks of rivers in preference to the coast. 

 It lays its eggs on the sand. These are less than those of 

 the Einged Dotterel, but otherwise closely resemble them, 

 being of a pale buff colour spotted with brown and a lighter 

 tint of pinkish-grey. 



THE SANDERLING. Arenaria calidris. This is a species 

 pretty frequent on our shores during spring, autumn, and 

 winter ; but is not known to breed with us. It is widely 

 distributed in other regions, and breeds far north, and within 

 the Arctic Circle. The nest is said to be of rude construc- 

 tion, and placed in marshy situations, and the eggs to be 

 four in number, of a dusky colour spotted with black. 



