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Ringed Plover is chiefly known to ornithologists as a bird of the sea-shore, where its exceeding rapid movements and inconspicuous colouring render it difficult of observation. By far the greater number nest in such localities, but year by year, even before the return of spring, a small band migrate inland, and on the heaths and warrens of the Norfolk and Suffolk "breck" district undertake domestic responsibilities. It is a difficult task to estimate with any degree of accuracy the numbers of these heath-loving birds, but it cannot be very large. So far as I have been able to ascertain personally or by correspondence the Ringed Plovers only nest in eight localities in Thetford district, although they are likewise found in the Lark valley. These are Lakenheath, Wangford and Thetford Warrens, and Thetford, Barnham, Santon Downham, Wretham and Roudham Heaths. The two first named are on the border of the fenland, and Wangford Warren seems to be most favoured in point of numbers. Two or three pairs respectively are all that seem to nest upon Thetford, Barnham, Wretham, and Roudham Heaths. Previous to the spring of 1897 the latter was unknown to me as a breeding locality of the Ringed Plover; but three pairs then occupied a small "breck" in a corner of the heath. From the accounts we possess, it would seem that the Ringed Plover has become sadly diminished of late years in its local breeding haunts. Salmon termed them "very abundant" at Thetford in 1836. In 1863 they were "seen in small numbers" at Elveden, presumably on Thetford Heath, the locality they now occupy.

Certain theories have been advanced to account for the inland nesting of this bird; but that of Prof. Newton, the late Dr. Hind, of Honington, Suffolk, and other eminent authorities, seems most worthy of credence. Their supposition was that the Wash extended