GRALLATORES. 149 



point of size between individuals obtained at dif- 

 ferent places (and even, occasionally, at the same 

 place), but also that some birds have the base of 

 both mandibles yellow, while others have the base 

 of the under mandible only of that colour ; and 

 again, that some have the outer tail-feather on each 

 side pure white, which Mr. Yarrell says is a distin- 

 guishing character of the Kinged Plover, while 

 others show a dusky spot on the inner web of that 

 feather. 



LITTLE RINGED PLOVER, Charadrius minor. In 

 noticing the occurrence of this rare British bird in 

 Middlesex, I am happy to be able to speak from 

 personal observation. 



On the 30th August, 1864, while strolling round 

 the reservoir at Kingsbury with my gun, on the look 

 out for Ringed Plovers, Dunlin, and other waders 

 that usually visit us at this time of year, I ob- 

 served a small bird feeding on the shore within a 

 few yards of a Green Sandpiper. The latter was 

 very wild, and rose out of shot, but the former 

 remained feeding, and allowed me to approach 

 within fifty yards. I at first mistook it for a young 

 Ringed Plover, Charadrius hiaticula, never dream- 

 ing of Charadrius minor. As soon as it rose my 

 finger was on the trigger, but hearing the bird's 

 note, which was not at all like that of the Ringed 

 Plover, but rather like that of the Common Sand- 

 piper, I was induced to wait and mark the bird 



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