90 
CHAEADEllD.E. 
boundary formed by the river Tyne/’* The most recent work 
on British ornithology particularizes the Cheviot Hills and 
other high ground of the Border Counties in the north of 
England/^’t as the most southern breeding haunts of the species 
in Great Britain. The whole of Ireland^ except a small por- 
tion of the extreme norths is southward of that latitude ; yet in 
suitable localities throughout the island, to the county of Kerry 
inclusive, the golden plover nidifies. It is well remarked by 
Mr. Hewitson to be a very watchful bird, and usually discovers 
itself long before you approach it, by its clear and plaintive 
whistle, which may be heard at a great distance, and is very 
deceptive. Upon hearing it when in search of their eggs, I have 
frequently expected to see the bird close beside me : and, after 
anxiously searching for it with my eyes all around, have discovered 
it perched at a distance of three or four hundred yards, upon some 
hillock or rising ground, on which it mostly takes it stand.'’^J 
I have met with this bird in its breeding haunts on the summits 
of some of our most lofty mountains, as well as in moist, heathy 
tracts little elevated above the sea, and in all intermediate situa- 
tions as to elevation. On the oOth of June, 1832, a pair came 
under my notice on the summit of Muckish mountain (Donegal), 
about 2,200 feet in height, where the nest was placed in a moist 
spot with little cover. During the same excursion the species 
was met with commonly in the wild bogs of that county. On 
some mountains in the county of Londonderry a sporting friend 
observed these birds about their breeding haunts, as well as in 
small flocks (perhaps a score of birds together), when grouse- 
shooting there from the 20th to the 30th of August, 1833. 
While passing over the wild mountain tract covered with heath, 
between Cushendall and Ballycastle (Antrim), on the 7th June, 
1834, we were several times attracted by the mournful note of the 
golden plover. The first that appeared was perched (according 
to the habit of the species at this season), on a little height, 
giving forth his cry. He was within twenty paces of us and 
* Selby. t Yarrell. t Egg’s Brit. Birds, p. 249. 
