110 GOLDEN PLOVER,. 



In Ireland it is common over the whole country, and breeds in all the retired bogs, 

 according to Mr. Thompson; and Ave remember it as having been very plentiful in the 

 Dublin market every winter for several years during our residence in that city. In some 

 parts of Ireland, and probably elsewhere also, this bird, in its winter plumage, is called 

 by sportsmen the "Gray Plover." 



It is found in France, Italy, Sardinia, Norway, Sweden, Lapland, Iceland, and the 

 Ferroe Islands. 



A very similar bird is also found inhabiting North America and the Asiatic continent, 

 but this is now proved to be a distinct species from the European bird, the Golden 

 Plover having the axillary feathers, (which line the under part of the wing,) pure white, 

 while the American bird has them hair brown, and the Gray Plover black. 



The Golden Plover is an exceedingly good bird for the table, and is held in very 

 general estimation, bringing a good price in the market. It should be dressed with the 

 trail in, as Snipe and Woodcock. 



During the spring and early summer these birds are found in pairs, distributed on 

 high boggy and swampy ground, over the whole of Ireland and Scotland, but in England 

 chiefly in the north. During this season it may be readily approached, and will often 

 be heard uttering its plaintive cry from the top of some little eminence at no great 

 distance from you. At other times, Mr. Thompson remarks that "there is a wild life in 

 its cry which is quite inspiriting." — 



"And in the Plover's slirilly strain, 

 The signal whistle's heard again." 



Lady of the Lake, 5, xi. 



He also very justly observes that this couplet, which has been appropriated to the Great 

 Plover by Mr. Williamson, as quoted by Yarrell, should be more suitably given to this 

 bird: the Great Plover not occurring in Scotland, while the Golden Plover is abundant 

 and well known. 



The note here referred to is a shrill whistle, heard to a remarkably long distance ; and 

 which might well startle the lone traveller over its retired haunts; Meyer compares it 

 to the syllable 'tluwee,' "uttered at a high pitch, and considerably loud." 



Immediately after the breeding-season, they associate together in small flocks of twenty 

 to forty; and as the autumn advances, they collect in larger flocks, and migrate to the 

 south and to the sea-shores, where they pass the winter. During this season we have, 

 as we before stated, in Dorsetshire, observed them to frequent the extensive peaty commons 

 on the tops of the hills about Charmouth; and in that district we never saw them on 

 the sea-shore. In many suitable localities, however, they visit the shores in large numbers. 

 Mr. Thompson states that they are met with on the shores of Belfast Bay from as early 



