RING DOTTEREL. 183 



after alighting ; during its migrations it flies very high 

 through the air. 



Among the virtues of the present species, we cannot 

 reckon sociability among its fellows, for, except during the 

 time of migration, when the number hardly exceeds twenty 

 or thirty, a single pair, and frequently only a single bird, 

 shews itself in a given spot ; during the breeding-season, 

 the males often fight in the manner of bantams, not how- 

 ever shewing so much courage, for one of them soon gives 

 in. This bird is very active, particularly towards the even- 

 ing, continuing its exertions during light nights until the 

 morning ; in the middle of the day it roosts on the ground. 

 The call-note and the cry of fear resemble each other very 

 much ; the first is only an often repeated trull, trull, trull I 

 and the latter, when startled, a single truwee I both expressed 

 in a pleasing flute-like key. By nature, this bird is very 

 hardy, and may easily be kept in confinement, becoming 

 tame, and feeding willingly on bread and milk, &c. 



In a wild state, the Ring Dotterel feeds on small beetles, 

 insects, and their larvae, small worms, and marine insects 

 of divers kinds. 



This bird is fond of bathing, and often soaks itself so 

 entirely, that it can hardly take wing. 



The breeding locality of the Ring Dotterel has already 

 been described, and we only need repeat, that the sea- 

 coast supplies it by far more frequently than lakes or rivers. 

 There is no nest made for the reception of the eggs of this 

 species ; they are deposited invariably on the barren ground, 

 namely, the dry sand just above high-water mark ; the 

 number of the eggs for a brood is three or four, which are 

 incubated by both parents ; the pair are very much attached 

 to each other, and shew great anxiety as well for the safety 

 of one another, as for that of their eggs and young. After 



