EINGED PLOVER. 



jEGIALITIS HIATICULA {Linn.). 



Charadrius hiaticula, Linn. S. N. i. p. 253 (1766) ; Naum. 



vii. p. 191 ; Macff. iv. p. 116 ; Hewitson, ii. p. 296. 

 iEgialitis hiaticula, Yarr. ed. 4, iii. p. 257; Dresser, vii. 



p. 497. 



Phwie)' a collier, French ; Sand-Regenpfeiffer, German ; 

 Frailecillo, Correrios, Spanish. 



This pretty bird, which is known hy a variety of 

 names in different parts of the country, is common on 

 all our sandy and shingly coasts throughout the year, 

 and is also frequently to be met with inland on the 

 hanks of rivers and lakes. The Ringed Plover lays its 

 four eggs in a hollow in the sand or shingle ; and I can 

 confirm from personal observation the fact stated in the 

 4th edition of ' Yarrell,' that the cavity in which the eggs 

 are laid is occasionally lined with a number of small 

 stones, from which habit the bird has in certain localities 

 acquired the name of Stone-Hatch. These birds show 

 the greatest anxiety and distress when their eggs or 

 young are approached, and will go through all the 



