100 CHARADIUID^. 



northward in spring, when for some weeks it was seen in num- 

 bers associated with hosts of dunlins. The season, no matter how 

 fine, was always far advanced before they took their departure, 

 respecting the period of which, a few dates may be supplied. 



1832. May 21st, more appeared on the western side of Belfast 

 bay than I had ever seen together : 31st of that month, some still 

 remained. On the 3rd of June a flock consisting of about a 

 dozen birds was observed : single birds and pairs were at the 

 same time seen, but these would remain all summer. On the 

 22nd and 26th May, 1833, flocks consisting of about twenty or 

 thirty birds appeared. On May 2nd, 1838, ringed plovers and 

 dunlins together — (they were associated on all the former occa- 

 sions) — were in remarkable profusion, literally in thousands; the 

 species under consideration forming about one-tenth of the whole. 

 The calls of such a multitude were highly melodious,* and being- 

 heard at a distance first attracted my attention to them : they 

 were indeed " the observed of all observers," passing on the adja- 

 cent highway. On the 9th of the same month a large flock was 

 seen here. 



The earliest note before me of their return from breeding, refers 

 to 1827, when they were numerous in the bay on the 31st July. 

 Mocks consisting of about twenty (perhaps bred here) I have seen 

 in the middle of this month. August is the usual period of their 

 arrival. 



Several ringed plover were observed by Mr. R. Ball and myself 

 in June 1834, on the sands at one extremity of the fresh- water 

 lake at Beltra, between Westport and Nephin mountain, county of 

 Mayo : one which was shot proved to be adult. On the 20th 

 July, 1839, one of these birds was observed on the sandy banks 

 of Lough Neagh, in Shanes castle park ; and Mr. Selby, who was 

 present, agreed with me that its manoeuvres indicated the proxi- 

 mity of the young. On the 2nd of August, 1846, I saw some 

 single birds, and also twenty-five in a flock, on the shores of that 



* The ringed plover has a full rich note at this season, in sound like the word tu- 

 leep, sometimes uttered slowly, at others rapidly. Its ordinary note is a simple (and 

 not loud) little whistle. 



