236 THE BIRDS OF ESSEX.
ern form, occasionally appears on our coast. The Rev. M. C. H.
Bird both saw and procured specimens on Canvey Island in the
autumns of 1881 and 1882. This form, which is merely a geogra-
phical race, of
sub - specific
value only, must
not be con-
founded with
the Little Ring-
ed Plover (AE.
curonica) which
is a totally dis-
tinct species.
This latter is a
very rare occa-
sional visitor, and was first observed in this country by Henry
Doubleday, who obtained a specimen at Shoreham about 1845.
The accompanying figure, for which I am indebted to Mr. Harting,
is sketched from the specimen shot at Kingsbury Reservoir in
August, 1864. There is no record of the species in Essex.
Dotterel: Eadromias morinellus.
A rare passing migrant in spring and autumn when on its way to
or from its more northerly breeding stations among the Scotch
mountains. At these times
it is occasionally met with
in the inland parts of the
county. The open chalk
downs around Chesterford,
Chrishall, Heydon and the
Chishalls seem formerly to
have been a rather favourite
halting-place.
Mr. Clarke, writing of the
Saffron Walden district about
1845, says (24) it is " now and
then met with ; not uncommon
at Ickleton [Cambs] and Ches-
terford." In the Museum is a
mature specimen shot near the
town. Mr. J. Glessing records
that a flock of fourteen appeared
near Forest Gate after severe gales about the end of August, 1871. They fre-
quented a freshly-turned fallow (29. Sept. 2). Some years ago, one struck the