208 THE BIRDS OP SUSSEX. 



and the marshesj often accompanying those of the Lapwing. 

 They are fond of fields of rape and turnip^ and are very 

 wary and difficult to approach. If, however, a shot can be 

 obtained on the wing, the whole body of them will frequently 

 dash down, and present an easy chance for the second barrel. 

 As its name implies,it seems to delight in wet and stormy 

 weather. In the breeding-season it retires to the mountains 

 of the north of England and Wales, and makes a slight nest 

 on the ground among the heather. In the year 1837, while 

 travelling in Wales, I found several pairs on the summit of 

 Cader Berwyn. The male birds were then exceedingly tame, 

 running swiftly from one hillock to another in a state of 

 great anxiety, and uttering a loud piping note. After watch- 

 ing patiently for about an hour, I saw a bird alight not far 

 from me, and after running a short distance it threw up its 

 wings and settled down on the nest, which I/ound to contain 

 four eggs. Soon afterwards I accidentally fell in with three 

 more nests, all with the same number of eggs. 



As the breeding-season approaches, the bird undergoes an 

 extraordinary change of plumage, the whole of the under- 

 parts, as also the sides of the neck, becoming of a deep black. 

 It is very highly esteemed for the table. 



GREY PLOVER. 



Sguatarola helvetica. 



The Grey Plover is more maritime in its habits than the 

 Lapwing or the Golden Plover, being very rarely seen at any 

 distance from the coast, and is by no means so numerous. 

 It is principally found on the mud flats, where it feeds on 

 small Crustacea and on various marine animals. Occasionally, 

 however, large flocks come into our estuaries in October and 



