326 PLOVER. 



white on the inner webs ; the two middle tail feathers greyish brown, 

 growing almost black towards the ends ; the three next, on each side, 

 the same, with white tips; the last but one white, with a brown 

 band ; the outmost white, marked with a spot only ; legs orange- 

 colour, claws black. In the male, the white on the forehead takes 

 up more space than in the female, with more white in the wings, and 

 the plumage inclines more to ash-colour. 



This bird, called by some the Sand Lark, frequents the coasts of 

 this kingdom almost without exception, and though it appears to be 

 scarce in the winter season, we have reason to believe that it does not 

 entirely leave us, but, quitting the open shores, seeks shelter in the 

 creeks and inlets: in autumn mixes in small numbers with the Purres, 

 Dunlins, and other birds, and sometimes in small flocks; during the 

 summer found every where on our shores, and lays four white eggs, 

 one inch and a half in length, and weighing three drachms, of a 

 pale ash-colour, spotted and blotched with black, least so at the 

 small end ; these are laid on the ground, under some shelter, but 

 without any nest : the birds run very fast, sometimes taking short 

 flights, twittering loud at the same time, then alight, and run again ; 

 and if more disturbed, either fly off, or creep into some hole till the 

 danger is over : they seem much attached to their young, and on 

 any one approaching where they are, the female uses many stratagems 

 to decoy the observer from the nest, by drawing off his attention. — 

 This species is also found in most parts of the Continent of Europe ; 

 we trace them as far north as Greenland, and every part of Russia 

 and Siberia; and to the south, Andalusia, in Spain ; we observe it, 

 too, in India drawings, by the name of Guddee; found in Sumatra, 

 there called Boo ring Boot; also frequents the shores of the Caspian 

 Sea, in December and January : is common likewise in most parts of 

 America; visits Hudson's Bay the middle of June, and departs in 

 September; has the same manners as in England, and is called there 

 Kisqua the napi shish. 



