262 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



THE GKEY PLOVEK. 



SQUATAROLA CINEREA. 

 Fheadag-ghlas. 



THE Grey Plover is nowhere a common bird with us, and, so 

 far as my observation extends, it is found in greater numbers on 

 the east than on the west coast. It frequents the Firth of Clyde 

 in winter in limited numbers, and has also been observed on the 

 shores of the inner group of islands. In the Outer Hebrides, it 

 occurs but sparingly. I have obtained occasional specimens from 

 Benbecula. 



On the eastern shores of Scotland it frequents yearly, in the 

 winter season, the estuary of the Tyne near Dunbar, and the 

 mouth of the Eden near St. Andrews. It is likewise distributed 

 along the rocky parts of the coast, both in Fifeshire and East 

 Lothian, where I have seen from three to five birds in company. 

 I recollect noticing, many winters ago, several grey-backed birds in 

 the large flocks of golden plovers frequenting the Dunbar shore, 

 and mistaking them for this species. Happening, however, to fire 

 into one of these flocks as it rose close to me one morning before 

 daybreak, I was soon undeceived, for on picking up two of the 

 shot birds they turned out to be golden plovers that had previously 

 been wounded and become coated with hoar frost. 



Mr Harvie Brown informs me that he has seen as many as four 

 or five of these birds killed in one day on the banks of the Forth 

 near Grangemouth. In November, 1869, and same month in the 

 year following, he observed small flocks repeatedly when out shoot- 

 ing along the coast there, and I have myself watched these birds 

 with great interest when rambling in his company. 



I have the pleasure of introducing here a view from the sketch 

 book of my friend, Mr J. E. Prentice, of Howard Place, Edinburgh, 

 in whose company I have frequently travelled in search of the 

 picturesque: the scene represents a wild part of the coast at Whit- 

 bury Point, in East Lothian, where I have often met with Grey 

 Plovers; and where many a hapless vessel has been dashed to pieces 

 on the rocks. 



