362 RING PLOVER. 



while, at the same time, the light-coloured kind had every- 

 where begun to lay in the little cavities which they had dug 

 in the sand on the beach. These facts being considered, it 

 seems difficult to reconcile such difference of habit in one and 

 the same bird. The ring plover is common in England, and 

 agrees exactly with the one now before us ; but the light- 

 coloured species, as far as I can learn, is not found in Britain ; 

 specimens of it have indeed been taken to that country, where 

 the most judicious of their ornithologists have concluded it to 

 be still the ring plover, but to have changed from the effect 

 of climate. Mr Pennant, in speaking of the true ring plover, 

 makes the following remarks : — " Almost all which I have seen 

 from the northern parts of North America have had the black 

 marks extremely faint, and almost lost. The climate had 

 almost destroyed the specific marks ; yet in the bill and habit, 

 preserved sufficient to make the kind very easily ascertained." 

 These traits agree exactly with the light-coloured species, de- 

 scribed in our fifth volume.* But this excellent naturalist 

 was perhaps not aware that we have the true ring plover 

 here in spring and autumn, agreeing in every respect with 

 that of Britain, and at least in equal numbers ; why, therefore, 

 has not the climate equally affected the present and the former 

 sort, if both are the same species ? These inconsistencies 

 cannot be reconciled but by supposing each to be a distinct 

 species, which, though approaching extremely near to each 

 other in external appearance, have each their peculiar notes, 

 colour, and places of breeding, f 



The ring plover is seven inches long, and fourteen inches in 

 extent; bill, short, orange coloured, tipt with black; front and 

 chin, white, encircling the neck ; upper part of the breast* 



* Vol. II. p. 122 of this edition. 



f It is mentioned as abundant in all " Arctic America " by the authors 

 of the " Northern Zoology," " where it breeds in similar situations to the 

 golden plover. Mr Hutchins reports that the eggs, generally four, are 

 dark coloured, spotted with black. The natives say, that, on the 

 approach of stormy weather, this plover makes a chirruping noise, and 

 claps its wings." — Ed. 



