14 THE BIRDS OF NORTHAMPTONSHIRE 



one brood in the season, and in Yarrell, as last 

 quoted above, will be found a record of four eggs 

 having been laid four times in succession in the 

 same season. 



This species is very tame and easy of approach, 

 appearing to trust principally to the colour of its 

 plumage to escape observation in its breeding-places, 

 but very bold in feigning injury to draw off attention 

 from its young ; it runs very swiftly, with occasional 

 abrupt halts and noddings of the head, and has a 

 sweet low whistle, besides what might be almost 

 termed a short song in the pairing-season. 



In autumn and winter the Ringed Plovers collect 

 in large flocks, and are generally to be found on 

 tidal flats of sand or mud in company with various 

 other species, from which, however, they usually 

 separate on being disturbed. In inland localities 

 I have several times seen a Ringed Plover consorting 

 -svith Peewits, and in May, 1852, found a good many 

 of these birds with some Dunlins and Common Sand- 

 pipers on the banks of the Isis above Oxford. This 

 species thrives well in captivity. 



136. KENTISH PLOVER. 



Charadrius cantianus ? 



I confess to having some doubts about admitting 

 this species to a place in these notes, as my only 

 authority for its occurrence is a note from Mr. A. G. 

 Elliot, of Stamford, who, under the date of January 

 17, 1883, wrote to me : — " Kentish Plover sent in 

 from Wansford, but whether it was killed on the 

 Norths or Hunts side of river I do not know ; date 



