O CHARADBIUS SEMIPALMATUS. 
to reconcile such difference of habit in one and the 
same bird. The ring- plover is common in Eno-land 
and agrees exactly with the one now before us": but 
the light TOloured species, as far as I cau learn, is not 
found in Britain ,- specimens of it have indeed been 
taken to that country, n liere the most judicious of 
their oriiitliologists have concluded it to be still the 
ring plover, but to have chan-red, from the effect of 
climate. Mr Penimnt, in speaking of the true rin-i- 
plover, makes the following remarks: « Almost afl 
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 nmke the kind very easily ascertained ” 
These traits agree exactly with the light coloured 
species just described. But this excellent naturalist 
ivas perhaps not anare, that we have the true rino- 
plover here in spring and autumn, agreeiim in ever^ 
respect with that of Britain, and at hiast in equal 
numbers j why, therefore, has not the climate equally 
affected the present and the former sort, if both are the 
same species ? These inconsistencies cannot be recon- 
ciled 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 breediu-r. 
The ring plover is .seven inches long, and fourteen 
inches in extent ; bill, short, orange coloured, tipt with 
black ; front and chin, n hite, encircling- the neck • 
u])per part of the breast, black ; rest of the lower parts’ 
pure white; fore part of the croivn, black; band from 
the upper mandible covering the auriciilars, also black ; 
back, scapulars, and wing-coverts, of a broivnisli ash 
colour; wing-fjuills, dusky black, marked with an oval 
spot ot white about the middle of each; tail, olive 
decpeiiiiig into black, and tipt p ith white ; legs, dull’ 
yellow ; eye, dark hazel ; eyelids, yellow, 
This bird is said to make no nest, but to lay four en’f>'s 
of a pale ash colour, spotted with black, which she 
