94 BIRDS OF THE HUMBER DISTRICT. 



again towards the end of that month*. At this time 

 they are, with some exceptions, in the beautiful pied 

 summer dress. The flocks on their first arrival in 

 the spring show specimens in every stage of plumage ; 

 the change, however, after this time appears to be 

 rapid, as by the third week in May broken-plumaged 

 birds are the exception. There are always a few, 

 however, which at the time of their leaving show 

 scarcely any change from the well-known and sober 

 winter plumage. The return southward in the autumn 

 is commenced in August first a few old birds in the 

 summer dress, and later the young of the year with 

 a sprinkling of old birds. Are now less gregarious, 

 and found scattered over the flats singly, in pairs, or 

 two or three together. From their tameness at this 

 season, many fall victims to the local gunners. Later 

 they congregate more, and become very wild and wary. 

 The flocks at this time occasionally resort to the 

 neighbouring marshes, feeding, like the Golden 

 Plover, both on the grass and ploughed lands, but may 

 readily be distinguished from these birds by their 

 comparatively much lighter colour and the glimpse 

 we get of the black axillary plume when they elevate 

 their wings. Some remain on the coast throughout 

 the winter, after the bulk have retired southward. 

 Independently of their specific distinctions, the Grey 



* I have occasionally known large flocks on the flats as late 

 as the end of the last week in May, and odd birds at Spurn in 

 June. 



