medius) never breed at Shorebam now, or have not done so for many years. On tlie wing’ the difference is 
very apparent ; the small kind are always dark on the back, the large light.” 
The next is from Mr. Harting, no mean authority on the subject : — “ I have compared the Ring-Plovers 
received from you on the 24th nit. with several specimens of Charadrius hiaticula obtained from different 
localities and at different seasons ; and although there certainly is a difference between them in respect of 
size and plumage, still it is a question whether that difference is sufficient to constitute a species. 
“I was inclined to believe, at one time, that an examination of a sufficient number of examples would 
establish the fact that we had two species of Ringed Plovers under one name, Charadrius hiaticula ; but I am 
now led to think otherwise, for the following reasons : — first, a character which was supposed to be 
constant (viz. the outer tail-feather) has proved to he not so, some of the birds obtained on the 24th ult. 
having the outer tail-feather on each side pure white, and others showing a dusky spot on the inner web of 
the same feather ; secondly, the conviction that great allowance should he made for age, especially when we 
consider that the young of C. hiaticula are hatched as early as the first week of April and as late as the first 
week of June ; thirdly, the effect which climate, soil, and food may have upon the young, according to the 
latitude in which they are hatched — those which are reared in the north (arguing from what has been 
observed of other species, for example Alauda arcensis') being generally finer and stronger birds than those 
reared further south. 
“ Were the peculiarities noticed in this case considered sufficient to constitute them a species, it would 
he necessary, upon the same principle, to separate the Saxicolu oenanthe and some others. 
“The question would then arise, ‘ Where is the line between species and variety to he drawn ?’ in other 
words, ‘ What constitutes a species ? ’ — a question which is not easily answered.” 
Touching this subject, Mr. Robert Gray, in his ‘ Birds of the West of Scotland,’ remarks : — “ The 
variation in the size of this species has been a source of much perplexity to me. In the spring-time I have 
shot so many much smaller than the Ringed Plover which breeds with us that I have long thought, seeing 
they only appear in spring, that they must belong to a southern race. 
From the above passage it is evident that the smaller Dottrel visits Scotland; and that the other one 
also does, I am certain ; for the largest and finest skins I have in my collection were taken from specimens 
killed in Orkney and sent to me by the late Mr. J. H. Dunn. 
Speaking of the habits of rEgialitis hiaticula, Mr. Gray goes on to state : — “ I have nowhere been 
more interested with this bird than in the Outer Hebrides, a district throughout which it abounds at 
all seasons of the year. Towards evening in the month of September, when walking along the sandy 
bays of Benbecula, I have been startled with its cry, even after the sun had gone down and left all 
in comparative darkness. This note fell upon the ear with a strange effect as the flowing waves came 
seething up on the dry sand and disturbed the sleeping birds. That part of the coast being but little 
visited, the little Plovers were exceedingly tame and fearless, allowing me to walk within a few feet of 
them. Often I imagined that they met me in my walks, and alighted in wonderment near their extra- 
ordinary visitor. On several occasions, indeed, I observed them halt in their flight and sit down on 
the sandy expanse right in front, saluting me with a gentle whistle. On very warm evenings in autumn 
I have frequently been very much interested in watching the Ringed Plovers on the Girvan shore, 
feeding on sandhoppers. The numbers of these brisk little creatures living in the dry sand, and keeping 
up an animated dance for hours along some miles of the beach between Girvan and Turnherry, must 
have been immense, the line of high-water mark appearing as if covered with a dense smoke. On 
walking, indeed, into the midst of these countless myriads of jumping crustaceans, the noise is like 
that of a pelting hail-shower. Here the little Plovers soon finish their evening meal ; and it is extremely 
amusing to see them catch their restless prey, and swallow them hurriedly, as they touch the ground.” 
With regard to the bird in Norfolk, Mr. Stevenson says : — “ The Ringed Plover, one of our most 
interesting indigenous species, may he said to possess, at least in Norfolk and Suffolk, two distinct 
phases of existence, being found throughout the breeding-season not only on the coast hut on the great 
sandy warrens in the interior, where its sprightly actions and melodious notes enliven those dreary wastes 
from about the middle of March up to the end of August, when young and old again retire to the sea- 
shore and the mouths of our tidal rivers till the time once more arrives for this strange inland migration.” 
The eggs of the Ringed Plover, which are generally four in numher, are deposited in a hollow on the hare 
ground, and, according to Yarrell, are of a pale huff or cream-colour, spotted and streaked with ash-blue, and 
are one inch and five lines long by one inch and half a line in breadth. 
The figures in the accompanying Plate represent old and young birds, about the size of life. The 
beautiful plant is the Sea-pea {Pisum maritimuni). 
