504 THE ZOOLOGIST. 



as early as February 7th. Ringed Plovers were numerous on 

 March 18th, 1835 ; commenced laying on April 1st ; a nest with 

 four eggs found on June 5th, and all departed by August 30th. 

 In the following year they were again numerous on March 13th, 

 but took their departure a week earlier, on August 23rd. Per- 

 sonally I have never seen them on Thetford Warren before 

 March ; but this doubtless arises from my limited opportunities 

 of observation, rather than from a later inland migration. 

 Clutches of two eggs have been found by March 30th. Nest 

 there is none, as a rule, the merest hollow in the sand being 

 utilised. Very rarely there are a few short pieces of dried grass. 

 September 1st is the latest date on which the Ringed Plovers 

 have been seen in the district. Their departure is usually taken 

 about mid-August, which accounts for the local remark that they 

 " go with the Cuckoos." The Ringed Plover is known locally as 

 the " Stonehatch" or " Ring Dotterel," the former being more 

 generally used. It is worthy of mention that the bracken-covered 

 areas of our large warrens are not beloved of the Ringed Plover, 

 but that it haunts stone-covered patches which are perfectly open. 

 In such spots it is almost impossible to discover the Ringed 

 Plover when motionless ; when running the eye is attracted by 

 the action. If one wanders too near the nest both birds will fly 

 round and round the intruder's head, uttering their short mellow 

 whistle. And if there should be nestlings they will feign a 

 broken wing — anything to draw attention to themselves rather 

 than their young. These tactics, however, are not always suc- 

 cessful, and the men who can always find the nest of a Lapwing 

 by the actions of the hen bird, can in like manner find that of 

 the Ringed Plover ; and I fear that even these eggs are sold, with 

 those of Black-headed Gulls, Snipe, and sundry others, as 

 " Plovers' eggs." 



