KENTISH PLOVER. 



475 



head and nape are bright red : the upper parts of 

 the plumage are grey-brown : the whole of the 

 quills have white shafts : the lateral tail-feathers 

 on each side are white ; the third the same, and 

 the rest brown : the beak, irides, and feet, black. 

 The female does not possess the angular spot on 

 the top of the head : the space between the eye 

 and the beak, and spot behind the eye, are grey- 

 brown : the red on the head and nape is tinged 

 with grey. The young ones have not the black 

 hue : the forehead, the eyebrows, and the nape, 

 are slightly marked with a shade of white : the 

 large spot on the lateral part of the breast is 

 indicated by bright brown : the whole of the fea- 

 thers on the upper parts are grey-brown, edged 

 with clear grey. 



The three last described birds possess so many 

 characters in common, that it is very difficult 

 to discriminate them apart ; but by a proper at- 

 tention to the description it is hoped any one will 

 be enabled to define them, as the descriptions, to 

 avoid any possibility of mistake, are taken from 

 Temminck, who has had frequent opportunities of 

 seeing all the three in a free state. 



The present species is very abundant in Holland ; 

 it migrates into Germany and the south, and occa- 

 sionally into England, three or four having been 

 taken near Sandwich in Kent : it lives on the borders 

 of the sea, and sometimes, though rarely, on the 

 banks of rivers : it feeds on small beetles, other 

 insects, and marine worms : it lays its eggs on the 



