70 
RING PLOVER. 
the sand with expanded tail and hanging wings, endeavouring to 
decoy you from its nest. The present species is never seen to 
breed here; and tho I have opened great numbers of them as late 
as the twentieth of May, the eggs were never larger than small 
bird-shot; while, at the same time, the light-colored kind had 
every where begun to lay in the little cavities which they had dug 
in the sand on the beach. These facts being considered, it seems 
difficult to reconcile such difference of habit in one and the same 
bird. The Ring Plover is common in England, and agrees exactly 
with the one now before us ; but the light-colored species, as far as 
I can learn, is not found in Britain ; specimens of it have indeed 
been taken to that country, where the most judicious of their orni- 
thologists have concluded it to be still the Ring Plover, but to have 
changed from the effect of climate. Mr. Pennant, in speaking of 
the true Ring Plover, makes the following remarks : Almost all 
which I have seen from the northern parts of North America have 
had the black marks extremely faint, and almost lost. The cli- 
mate had almost destroyed the specific marks ; yet in the bill and 
habit preserved sufficient to make the kind very easily ascertain- 
ed.” These traits agree exactly with the light-colored species de- 
scribed in our fifth volume. But this excellent naturalist was per- 
haps not aware that we have the true Ring Plover here in spring 
and autumn, agreeing in every respect with that of Britain, and at 
least in equal numbers ; why, therefore, has not the climate equal- 
ly affected tlfC^resent and the former sort, if both are the same 
species ? These inconsistencies cannot be reconciled but by sup- 
posing each to be a distinct species, which, tho approaching ex- 
tremely near to each other in external appearance, have each their 
peculiar notes, color, and places of breeding. 
The Ring Plover is seven inches long, and fourteen inches in 
extent ; bill short, orange colored, tipt with black ; front and chin 
white, encircling the neck ; upper part of the breast black ; rest of 
