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KENTISH PLOVER, (Charadrius Cantianus.) Latham. 



The trivial name of this Plover would give the idea that it was only to be procured 

 in the county of Kent; there, certainly, the first specimens were obtained between sixty 

 and seventy years ago, and on its coast some are still to be found; yet it has since 

 occurred along the shores of both Norfolk and Sussex, and is probably to be met with 

 on other parts of the southern coast. 



In Scotland we believe it has not been seen. 



In Ireland it has occurred in several instances, as far north as Belfast, where Mr. 

 Thompson states it has been shot on two occasions, but the specimens unfortunately were not 

 preserved. On the muddy shores of Dublin Bay it has been procured on several occasions; 

 in 1846, in the autumn, as recorded by Mr. Thompson; in August, 1851, and several 

 specimens in the winter of 1852, as mentioned by Mr. Watters, in his "Birds of Ireland." 

 Out of these countries it is found in Germany, Holland, France, Italy, and was obtained 

 at Seville, in Spain, by the Rev. C. A. Bury, who also states that it was abundant on 

 the sea-shore at Malaga. It is also found in Tartary, India — near Calcutta, Java, and 

 Northern Africa. 



In habits and food it closely resembles the bird last described. 



It is to be found in the same situations, mixing with the Ringed Plovers, but, it is 

 said, not flying off with them when disturbed. 



The nest is merely a slight hollow in the sand or fine shingle, on the beach just above 

 high tide mark; in this four eggs are deposited, the ground colour of which is a yel- 

 lowish stone, with streaks and spots of black. They measure in length one inch and 

 a quarter by eleven lines in breadth. 



According to Meyer incubation lasts seventeen days. 



The habits of the young, and of the old birds in protecting their progeny, are similar 

 to those of the Common Ringed Dotterel. 



In the adult male the bill is black; irides, brown; the forehead, a streak over each 

 eye, the cheeks, sides of neck and collar round it, breast, belly, vent, and under 

 tail coverts, pure white. Above the white forehead is a band of black; a black streak 

 runs from the bill to the eye ; ear coverts, black. From the point of each wing a patch 

 of black extends forwards on the breast, but the two do not join in the centre, which 

 is white. Top of head and nape, reddish brown; back and wings, light hair brown; 

 primaries, brownish black with white shafts; secondaries, tipped with white; centre tail 

 feathers, dusky black, lighter towards the base; the outside two feathers on each side, 

 white. Legs, feet, and claws, black. 



In the female the black on the head and neck is rather smaller in cpiantity, and not 

 so decided in colour. 



