Dotterel (Eudromias morinellus), a kind of plover, known in Britain as a bird of passage, though sometimes breeding at high elevations on the hills. It is widely distributed in Europe, in the north in summer, in the south in winter. A nearly related species (E. usitatica) has a similar distribution in Asia. The dotterel is about nine inches and a half in its whole length. In summer plumage, the upper parts are of a brownish-gray colour, the feathers edged with deep red; the cheeks, throat, and a band above the eyes, white; the breast bright rust-colour, with a white patch on the upper part of it, bounded above by a blackish line; a conspicuous black patch on the middle of the belly; some of the tail-feathers tipped with white. The winter plumage is much less definite. The bird is proverbial for its tame stupidity; but this is due to its unacquaintance with man's evil intent. It becomes shy and watchful after a little experience. It is much esteemed for the table, and well known in the London market. The name Ring Dotterel is applied to a sandplover frequenting the shore (Ægialites hiaticula), which seems to serve as sentinel to dunlins and sandpipers. Both Eudromias and Ægialites were formerly included along with the plovers proper (Charadrius). See PLOVER.