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Sept (Cambridge rare in spring)

20. Cambridge, rare in spring; sometimes common in Aug. and Sept.

Eggs, three to four, buffy white or creamy buff, spotted with chocolate, 1.30 x 90.

PLOVERS.

This species frequents sandy beaches, mud-flats, and marshes. It is found generally in small flocks of five or ten individuals, which, unlike the Sand Oxeyes, do not feed in a compact body, but run rapidly about, independently of one another. When they take wing, however, they close ranks at once and move as though governed by one desire.

Their simple, sweet, plaintive call is one of the most characteristic notes heard on our shores. At noonday, when the heat waves are dancing over the marshes and even the twittering Oxeyes are silent, one may hear the cool, pure notes of this little Plover. They may be written Q A third, shorter note is sometimes added.

Even a whistled imitation of them takes me to the beaches. The RING PLOVER (275. Agialitis hiaticula), an Old-World species, is found in Greenland. It is similar to the preceding but slightly larger, the black band on the breast is wider, and there is no web between the inner and middle toes. 277. Ægialitis meloda (Ord). PIPING PLOVER. Ad. in summer. -Upper parts pale whitish ashy; forehead, under parts, and a ring around the neck white; front of the crown and a band on either side of the breast black; inner tail-feathers fuscous, outer ones becoming white. Winter plumage. Similar, but the black replaced by brownish gray. L., 7.00; W., 475; Tar., 85; B., 50.