DOTTREL PLOVER. 
469 
the back, and the wings, are greyish brown : the 
edges of the feathers are pale rust-colour, and the 
lower part of the back and the rump incline to 
grey : the greater quills are brown ; the outer edge 
and shaft of the first white : the fore-part of the 
neck olive-grey, varied near the throat with white : 
the lower part of the neck is bounded by a black 
line, beneath which is one of white : the breast 
and sides are pale dull orange : the middle of the 
belly black ; its lower part and thighs reddish 
white: the tail olive-brown, with a dusky bar 
towards the tip, which is white, as are also the 
edges of the two outer feathers : legs black. The 
female is rather larger : the colours are more dull : 
the breast has a white line, and the belly is black, 
varied with white : the stripe over the eye is nar- 
rower than in the male. The young have the 
whole of the under parts of the body of a pale 
ferruginous brown. 
These birds inhabit the northern parts of Asia 
and Europe, frequenting the muddy borders of 
rivers, and breeding in the alpine lands : they are 
very stupid, and may be taken by the most simple 
artifice ; so that it was formerly the custom to 
go in quest of them in the night, with a lighted 
torch or candle, and the birds on these occasions 
will mimic the actions of the fowler with great 
archness; when he stretches out an arm, they 
stretch out their wings ; if he moves a foot, they 
move one also, and every other motion they en- 
deavour to imitate. This is the opportunity the 
fowler takes of entangling them in his net. At 
