238 GRALLATORES. CHARADRIUS. DorrTeret. 
a bird of the year, once fell before my own gun when shoot- 
ing Grouse on the 20th of August. These, in all probability, 
were birds of early hatchings, which appear frequently to 
precede the main bodies of their species in the equatorial mi- 
gration, as I have previously remarked in the history of the 
Sanderling. The Dotterel has always been considered a stupid 
bird, but for what reason I cannot conceive. I allow, that 
on its first arrival, it shews but little fear of man, but this, 
I apprehend, arises more from inexperience of persecution in 
its native wilds, than from any other cause, and which ap- 
pears evident from the birds, when harassed and repeatedly 
fired at, soon becoming too cautious to admit of near ap- 
proach any longer. Their habits also contribute to render 
them unwary, for being nocturnal feeders (like many others 
of the Charadriada), they are at rest and asleep during the 
greater part of the day, in which state also the Golden 
Plover (a wary bird when roused) will frequently admit of 
a close approach. As to the story of the Dotterel mimicking 
the actions of the fowler, by stretching out its leg, wing, or 
head, when he sets the example, it, without doubt, arose from 
the motions that they, as well as other birds, usually and 
most naturally make when roused from a state of repose ; and 
which every one who attends to the habits of the feathered 
race must (in flocks of Gulls, Plovers, Tringas, &c.) have 
frequently observed. ‘The Dotterel is particularly abundant 
in northern Asia and the eastern parts of Europe. It inha- 
bits Siberia, and the vast steppes of Tartary, frequently 
living in the vicinity of the salt lakes and marshes of that 
open region. It is also found, during its winter migration, 
in Italy and Spain. The great body of these birds retires to 
the high latitudes of Northern Asia, Russia, and Lapland 
Alps to breed ; but the flocks which pass along the eastern 
coast of our island are supposed to limit their flight to the 
upland districts and mountains of Sweden and Norway.—The 
nest and eggs of the Dotterel have hitherto remained unde- 
scribed. 
