haps, to name here more particularly the countries in which it has been observed. Nilsson states that it 
occasionally visits Sweden in summer, Temminck that it is found in Germany and Central Europe ; it cer- 
tainly inhabits Provence and Italy ; Bailly gives it a place in his ‘ Ornlthologie de la Savoie Lord Lilford 
found it tolerably abundant in Corfu in April and May, particularly in the Val de Corlssia and Potamo, hut 
oidy remaining a few days ; Mr. Wright says it is common in Malta and Gozo, where it arrives in March. 
Messrs. Dickson and Ross sent specimens to the Zoological Society from Erzeroum, in Persia, where it 
appears, remarks Yarrell, “ to be numerous about the middle of June on the sandy and pebbly banks of the 
Aras, at Hassan Kaleh, eighteen miles east of Erzeroum Meyer states that it occurs in Nubia and Abys- 
sinia, Mr. Swinhoe that it is abundant in China and Formosa ; Von Schrenck includes it in the birds of 
Amoorland, and Temminck among those of Japan. 
Although so widely distributed, and, as one would have supposed, having necessarily come under the notice 
of many observers, very little has been recorded of its habits. Mr. Hoy informed Mr. Hewitson that “ it 
appears to be very rarely found on the sea-coast, but frequents in preference the banks of rivers, where it 
breeds. It lays its eggs ou the sand, not a particle of grass or other material being used. It is very partial 
to sand banks forming islands, such as are often met with in some of the larger rivers on the Continent. It 
may also frequently be found during tbe breeding-season upon those large extents of sand which are met 
with at some little distance from the borders of rivers overgrown in part with a coarse wiry grass.” Mr. 
Yarrell describes the egg as of a pale yellowish stone-colour, numerously spotted with bluish ash, red- 
dish brown, and dark brown, and as measuring 1^ inch in length by i of an inch in breadth. 
Bailly states that “ the Little Ringed Plover is somewhat more abundant in Savoy than the JE. hiaticula. 
It arrives in small flights at the end of March or the beginning of April, at the same time as its congener. 
For the purpose of breeding, they mostly resort to the borders of rivers and springs of the south of Europe ; 
but a few, as soon as they arrive here, disperse in couples for the same purpose. In May and June 
they and their young are to be met with on the gravelly borders of the Rhone, the Lake of Bourget, 
the torrent of Hyeres, &c., and rarely in other localities than the neighbourhood of water. 
“ Its habits, manners, and gait are very similar to those of the ordinary species. If the nest or young be 
■Hf m m % 
approached, the old birds rise and fly round the intruder in circles, repeatedly uttering their small pier- 
cing cries, and have recourse to various artifices to entice him from the neighbourhood of the nest. 
“At the end of August, sometimes in September, and occasionally as late as the commencement of 
October, the old and young unite in small flocks, often in company with other Plovers, and proceed on 
their autumnal migration, when they fly low, and frequently call to each other with flute-like cries. Some- 
times they are so close together that several are killed at a single shot ; and among the victims are often 
found examples of jE. hiaticula and cantianus.” 
The Little Ring-Plover is said to migrate in small companies of from five to ten in number, the movement 
being always made at night — to be sociable in its habits, several broods being brought out in the 
same locality — and not shy, but admitting of a somewhat near approach. Its food consists of larvas, 
worms, and the infinite number of insects which occur on the borders of the waters it frequents. 
The figures in the foreground of the accompanying Plate are of the natural size. The reduced one in 
the distance may be that of a young bird of the first autumn. 
