Page [149]

GENUS 74. CHARADRIUS. PLOVER.
            SPECIES 1. C. HIdTICULd.
                  RINGED PLOVER. *
                [Plate XXXVIL-Fig. 3 t]
LATH. Syn. v, p. 201. 8.-. rct. Zoot. ii,.VXo. 401.-Petit Pluvier,
  a collier, BUFF.viii,p.90-6.--PI. Enl. 921 .-Pluvlalis Tor-
  quata minor, BRISS. v, p. 63. 8. t. 5.f. 2..-.TURT, Syst. p.4 11. 2.
  -PEALE'S Jluseumt, No. 4150.
  IT was not altogether consistent with my original plan to
introduce any of the Gralle or Waders, until I had advanced
nearer to a close with the Land Birds; but as the scenery here
seemed somewhat appropriate, I have taken the liberty of plac-
ing in it two birds, reduced to one-third of their natural size,
both being varieties of their respective species, each of which
will appear in their proper places, in some future volume of
this work, in full size and in their complete plumage.
  The Ring Plover is very abundant on the low sandy shores
of our whole sea-coast, during summer. They run, or rather
seem to glide, rapidly along the surface of the flat sands; fre-
quently spreading out their wings and tail like a fan, and flut-
tering along, to draw or entice one away from  their nests.
These are formed with little art; being merely shallow conca-
vities dug in the sand, in which the eggs are laid, and, during
the day at least, left to the influence of the sun to hatch them.
  *Wilson in his account of the following species gives reasons for suppos-
ing this bird to be specifically different from the Ring Plover of Plate
LIX.
It is undoubtedly a distinct species; and has bcen named by Mr. Ord, Pip.
ing Plover-C Melodits. The sy nonymes given by our author do not of
course apply to this species.
  t Adult in spring dress.