34*2 THE PLOVER. 



so uniform and beautiful as the males. No longer need the dis- 

 tinction of tints in this species of birds be remarked, since this 

 gentleman has proved, that the varieties result from the differ- 

 ence of age and of sex. 



This elegant bird inhabits England the whole year, and breeds 

 on several of our unfrequented mountains ; is very common on 

 those of the isle of Rum, and others of the loftier Hebrides; 

 also on the Grampian, and all the heathy hills of the islands and 

 highlands of Scotland : millions are found in the Orknies, from 

 which they never entirely migrate ; they lay four eggs, two inches 

 in length, more pointed in shape than those of the lapwing, and 

 of a pale cinereous olive, blotched with blackish spots ; they 

 make a whistling noise, and fly in small flocks, and by a skilful 

 imitation of the note, may be enticed within shot. They fre- 

 quent, in November, meadows and commons ; and there was 

 once an instance of a warrener near Bristol killing eleven at one 

 shot. Their flesh is sweet and tender ; they are dressed like the 

 woodcock, with their trail, and are excellent eating. 



The golden plover is common in all the northern parts of 

 Europe. It is numerous in America, from Hudson's Bay to 

 Carolina ; migrating from one part to another according to the 

 seasons. Is met with to the south as far as Aleppo ; and if, 

 says Latham, the species is not mistaken, in the island of Bata- 

 via and in China. Our last voyagers found them at Owhyhee, 

 Tongataboo, and also York islands, but of a smaller size, 



