40 THE BIRDS OF IONA AND MULL. 



I am afraid I can add nothing to your knowledge of Plovers ; 

 they are not abundant. A few Peewits ( Vanellus cristatus) breed 

 on the island. The Golden Plover only visits the shores in 

 frosty weather, but they are very abundant on the moors in Mull, 

 and still more so at the island of Tiree. The Einged Plover 

 (Charadrius hiaticula) is common. There are some patches of 

 gravelly beach which are always frequented by considerable flocks, 

 especially at ebb-tide ; or at high- water they will be found in 

 some particular spots among the low sand-hills in the immediate 

 neighbourhood, but they never seem to stray far from these 

 favourite grounds and roosting-places. Upon the approach of an 

 intruder, they commence their wild, plaintive whistle, at the same 

 time running away before him ; sometimes one will conceal him- 

 self behind a bunch of cast seaweed or a stone, till the near 

 approach of danger sets him running off to overtake his com- 

 panions. Thus they will go on ; always hurrying across the 

 patches of white sand, and lingering upon the portions of gravel, 

 as they well know that on the former they are very conspicuous, 

 while on the latter they are almost invisible. Upon a too near or 

 rapid approach, or any sudden movement, especially levelling a 

 gun, up they all jump, fly out to sea, tack, fly close past their 

 disturber, tack again two or three times, which they all do 

 together with military precision, giving the flock the appearance 

 of changing its colour from white to black, and then from black 

 to white ; at last they pitch down upon the beach again, a little 

 farther on. The best shot is when they are alighting, as at all 

 other times they keep very much scattered. 



A few Ringed Dotterels remain to breed in the island, at 



