182 CHARADRIID.E. 



south during the months of September and October, and 

 returning in April to its summer quarters. 



The principal locality which pleases the Ring Dotterel 

 is a sandy sea-coast, but it does not so exclusively remain 

 there as other species hereafter to be described, inasmuch that 

 the sea and its productions are not essential to its subsistence ; 

 and it also frequents dry sandy flats and waste lands in 

 the vicinity of water, for water it requires at all times. 

 On muddy or marshy shores it is never seen. 



Its breeding places are on the already named sandy shores 

 of the sea, the most barren and devoid of vegetation. On 

 the mountainous coast of Norway, this species breeds at a 

 considerable elevation, almost close to the patches of snow 

 that remain there late on the surface. 



When the Ring Dotterel is on the ground in search 

 of its food it is a very pretty object in consequence of the 

 contrasting colours of its plumage ; its shape is not exactly 

 one of the most beautifully proportioned, but it is peculiar, 

 owing to its round head and plump figure ; it carries its 

 body generally in a horizontal manner, with its breast some- 

 what lowered and its neck short : when in the act of run- 

 ning it lengthens its neck, and thus becomes more slender ; 

 it runs very fast, and turns its body to the right and left, 

 without showing its direction beforehand with its head ; 

 it runs very much in the manner of the wagtail, stopping 

 every moment for the purpose of looking round ; and as 

 this is performed in quick succession, it distances itself very 

 soon from its pursuer without the least appearance of exer- 

 tion. The flight of the Ring Dotterel is very quick, and 

 performed with moderate flapping of the wings ; on being 

 met with on the shores, it frequently flies in a semicircle 

 low over the surface of the water, and soon settles again, 

 opening its wings above its back before flying and just 



