THE RINGED PLOVER. 
103 
proceeded on their migratory course, which was in a north-west 
direction. 
Mr. Garrett has supplied me with the following critical note, as well 
as given me ‘ ocular demonstration’ of its correctness. “ In treating of 
the little ringed plover Mr. Yarrell says, — ‘This species bears con- 
siderable resemblance to the ringed plover {Cli. Hiaticuld), and is likely 
to be occasionally overlooked ; it is, however, to be distinguished 
readily on examination by its smaller size ; its much more slender form 
being one-fourth lighter in weight ; its black beak, its more slender 
and lighter-coloured legs, by the broad white shaft of the first quill- 
feather only of each wing, and by the dusky spot which is present at 
all ages on the inner web of the outer tail feather on each side, toJiich 
feather in the ringed plover is wholly white without any spot, and there 
are two white feathers on each outside of the tail in the Kentish 
plover.”^ 
“ I have, however, observed, in several specimens of the ringed plover, 
a ‘ dusky spot on the inner web of the outer tail-feather on each side.’ 
In one of these killed in my presence, on 30th April 1849, out of a 
flock in Belfast bay, the spot was very distinctly marked ; as it likewise 
was in a female bird which I shot there on the 1 8th of May. It is 
sometimes on the male as well as the female, and may perhaps depend 
on the age of the bird. I have seen many individuals in which the 
spot was wholly wanting.” 
The following note may here be introduced : — Sept. 25, 1838. 
Charadriidm. I was interested to-day by observing, close to 
Thomson’s Embankment, Belfast bay, three species of this family 
at one view; the ringed dotterel {C. hiaticula), lapwing {Vanel- 
lus Grist atus), and grey plover {Squatarola cinerea). The two 
former were feeding in company very near the road, and I could 
not but remark the strong family resemblance imparted by the 
dark gorget — the most striking mark of the plumage when the 
birds are viewed from some distance. In addition to the 
three species in the fore-ground, groups of grey or golden, plover 
(so far apart from the others, and from where I stood, mat the 
* Brit. Birds, vol. ii. p. 474, 2nd edition. 
