Allen’s natukalist’s library. 
I. (3 
Eange in Great Britain. — An accidental visitor only, having 
occurred four times. In December, 1874, a specimen was pur- 
chased in Leadenhall Market from among a lot of Golden 
Plover, which were said to have come from Norfolk. In the 
autumn of 1882, Mr. J. H. Gurney procured a second example 
in the same market. In August, 1883, a third occurrence tvas 
recorded, in Perthshire, by Mr. J. G. Millais, who also received 
another Lesser Golden Plover from Stennis, in Orkney, in 
November, 1887. 
Of these four specimens, the first and last are referred to 
what has been called the Asiatic race of C. donwiims, while 
the second and third belonged to the American race of the 
species. The difference between these two races consists in 
the fact that specimens from Eastern North America are some- 
what larger, with a wing measuring 6'S-7'5 inches, whereas the 
wing in the Asiatic race is not more than 67 inches in length. 
Other characters have been adduced for the separation of these 
two races, such as the shorter tarsi and toes, and less golden 
coloration in the American bird. My recent studies on the 
Cliaradriidce have, however, convinced me that no hard and fast 
line can be drawn between these eastern and western forms, 
and I consider that there is but one species of Lesser Golden 
Plover, which must bear the older name of C. dominicus. 
Range outside the British Islands. — With the exception of Europe, 
w'here the present species is only met with as an occasional 
visitor, it occurs in nearly every part of the world, breed- 
ing in the high north and wintering in South America, the 
Pacific Islands, Australia, and India, but not apparently visit- 
ing Africa. 
The Lesser Golden Plover has occurred in Heligoland, in 
Poland, in Malta, and near Malaga, in Spain. 
Hahits. — Mr. Seebohm found the nest and eggs of the present 
species during his e.xpcdition to the Yenesei Valley in Siberia, 
and he describes the note as being very similar to that of the 
Grey Plover, the commonest note being a plaintive kd, but 
occasionally the double note kl-ee is heard, but still more often 
the treble note kl-ee-kii. 
Mr. E. AV. Nelson gives the following account of this Golden 
Plover, as observed by him in Alaska ; — “ The males are con- 
