CHARADKIID^. 301 



J. F. Gmelin, witli smokc-gre}- axillaries, inhabiting Asia, Anstralia, and 

 the Pacific Islands, has occurred twice — once in the East of Enghmd and 

 once in the Orkney Islands. A form of this species inhabiting North 

 America, and now known as Ch. dominicus, Miiller, has also been obtained 

 from Leadenhall Market, and once in Perthshire.] 



Grey Plover, Squatarola helvetica (Linn.). 



[Silver Plover.] 



A casual visitor to the estuaries of our larger rivers in the south of the 

 county in autumn and winter, and rarely in spring ; but a regular winter 

 visitor to Xorth Devon. Specimens in full summer plumage have been 

 occasionally obtained. 



The Grey Plover is a regular autumn visitor to the Eritish shores from 

 the far north, but is never numerous. In North Devon we generally saw 

 it singly, sometimes in pairs, and rarely in small flocks of from a dozen to 

 twenty birds. We have succeeded in whistling these small flocks within 

 range where we have had tall rush clumps at hand in which to conceal 

 ourselves, and have also frequently stalked and shot single birds. One day 

 in the middle of May we watched from behind a bank near Instow a flock 

 cf about a score of these beautiful birds in their full summer livery, as 

 they were running on the sand only twenty yards away. The sun was 

 shining on their silver backs, and the pretty contrast between their polls 

 and thighs (which seemed dazzlingly white, like fresh-fallen snow) and 

 their glossy l)lack underparts made a beautiful picture. We gazed and 

 admired, and, not wanting a specimen, left them unmolested. 



The eggs of the Grey Plover, which closely resemble those of the 

 Golden Plover, were almost unknown until the birds were detected breeding 

 by Messrs. Harvie-Brown and Seebohm, in the summer of 1875, on the 

 tundras of the Petchora river in Northern llussia. Prom its feeding on 

 the oozes on the shore, the flesh of the Grey Plover is rank and valueless 

 for the table. 



Mr. Elford, of Bickliani, near Tioborout;b Down, informed Polwlielc tliat he liad met 

 with only two specimens of this bird. Mo(jre saj's tliat Drew, Pincombe, and iiimself 

 all had examples in suinmer and winter jjlumage (Mag. Nat. Hist. 1837, p. 'S\\)). 



At Plymouth one occurred, January .'')tii, 1854 (B., MS. Nole.s). One was killed and 

 Others were seen on the Breakwater, November 1873 ; some, November and December 

 1878, October 1S81, January 1882; and one in ne;irly fidl summer dress, May lilfh, 

 1S82. It is very rarely found at Plymouth so late in the .spring (J. O.. Zool. 1874, 

 p. 2837 ; 1870, pp. ] 12, 11."); 1882, pp. C).'), 45C., 4.j8). 



On the Kingsbridge estuary this J'lnver often occurs in autumn on the mud, and 

 Mr. If. Nicholls has one that was killed in the spring with a black breast. Mr. lOlIiot 

 shot one, August 12th, 1S89 (R. P. N. and E. A. S. E., MS. Notes). 



Mr. Cecil Smith says that he saw some young birds at Teigumoutli in Ndvcmber 

 (year not mentioned) in the iioulterers' shops (' Birds of Somerset,' p. o3."i). 



On the Exe estuary one occurred Septi'nd)cr 2><th. IS,",',) (|<\ ^V^ ]j. 1{., MS. Journ. 

 iii. p. 2.''i). One was brought to u.-" in ibc llcsh shot near Tup.^ham, Oct obi-r 24th, 18,"»1. 

 ])r. W. R. Scutt and Mr. B.C'ummini: had ^i))(■(■im^•ns fnim Dawlish Warren. .Mr. VV. 

 Tombs also had some in summer and winter plumage, presumably from the Exe. 



