BIRDS OF LEICESTERSHIRE. 31 



in a more south-westerly direction, which carries them fairly 

 over the county. 



Golden Plover, Charadrins pluvialis. — Occasional small 

 flocks in the autumn and winter, but more often odd birds, 

 in company with Lapwings. I have not seen black-breasted 

 birds in Leicestershire, though they occasionally occur in Notts, 

 on the immediate border. 



Grey Plover, C. helvetica. — On Nov. 11th, 1888, I saw a 

 flock of about a score, and occasionally recognised odd birds at a 

 great elevation by their cries. 



Ringed Plover, Mgialitis hiaticula. — Occurs in small num- 

 bers on migration in spring and autumn. I have met with it as 

 early as April 21st, and as late as May 26th ; in the latter case 

 probably non-breeding birds. I have seen the young by the 

 20th July, and throughout August I have recognised their notes 

 as they flew over at night. 



Lapwing, Vanellus vulgaris. — Common as a breeding species 

 in the lowlands, but almost absent at that season from Charn- 

 wood. Immense numbers sometimes arrive during November 

 from more northern regions via the Trent Valley. 



Woodcock, Scolopax rusticola. — Breeds sparingly on Charn- 

 wood. I have four eggs from that locaiity. 



Dunlin, Tringa alpina. — In spite of what Mr. Browne says 

 to the contrary, this species is met with in breeding plumage 

 with great regularity every spring. The direction of their journey 

 is westward, as far as I have been able to trace them, but I have 

 yet to learn their ultimate destination. On their spring journey 

 they appear about the third week in April, in little parties of six 

 or seven odd birds, a little earlier, and occasionally a late bird 

 will be met with at the beginning of June. I have seen young 

 with traces of down about the nape as early as July 20th. In 

 the winter, as a rule, only odd birds occur, but on Nov. 9th, 1890, 

 I saw a flock of eleven flying in a S.W. direction. 



Common Sandpiper, Actitis hypoleucus. — Another common 

 visitor on migration to the Trent and Soar Valleys, occasionally 

 remaining to breed. Odd birds may be seen by the Trent all 

 through the summer; but usually they are absent from the 

 middle of May till the first week in July, when young birds may 

 be found with their parents. It is far more common on the 

 Trent than on the Soar. A pair bred for several years near 



