It) :MR. ^. A. LANE 



Xotes on the C h a r a d r I i d a e or Plover Family. 

 y»y AM15R0SE A. Lane, Mooibank, Potchefstroom. 



Thit plover tribe cannot fail to attract the interest of 

 the sportsman and field naturalist, as a characteristic 

 feature of similar localities in widely separated regions 

 The peculiar flight and loud lamenting cries of the 

 Lapwing are to be seen and heard in so many remote 

 stretches of open plain, swamp, or estuary, both in the 

 old world and in the new that the various closely allied 

 species (usually formerly all included in the genus 

 Vanellus) have become one of the most familiar features 

 of wild life to even the casual observer. 



The appearance and whistling note of the w^ary 

 Oyster-catcher on the sandy margin of the sea-shore; or 

 the comparative tameness of the pretty little Sand- 

 plover, may not be so generally familiar. Here again 

 the similarity of notes, movements, and habits of closely 

 allied forms, extending along many thousands of miles 

 of coast line appears to extend over the universe indefi- 

 nitely, and amongst almost thirty species of the 

 Charadriidac recorded in South Africa, several of the 

 maritime species extend to the northern hemisphere 

 Doubtless most of these are migratory, as most of this 

 family appear to be inclined to migrate, especially those 

 sjK'cies Avhich congregate into large flocks, aftei- the 

 breeding season. Others, like the Lapwings, which have 

 develojKMl into more characteristic local varieties, ay»pear 

 to l)e more or less resident, appearing in pairs during 

 the nesting season, and at other times assembling in 

 small flocks which, though of a roving disposition, prob 

 ably do not go far unless driven by extreme condition.^ 

 of climate or food supply. Amongst insect-eating birds 

 Ihe plovers found inland are undoubtedly of great 

 utility to agriculture, and their usefulness in this 

 respect alone should entitle them to pr(»tection by the 



