THE BIRDS OF AFRICA. 27 1 



THE PLOVERS. 



Family — Charadnidce, 



Genus — Hcsmatopiis. H. niger. Black Oyster-Catcher, 



This bird is very like its European namesake, but 

 has less white about it than the latter. It feeds in a 

 similar manner, frequents similar localities, and feeds on 

 the same kind of food, which it displays equal ingenuity in 

 securincy. It is probably only a local variety. 



THE SHEATHBILLS. 



Family — Chionididcu. 



Genus — Chionis. C. minor. 



Black-Billed Sheathbill. — This remarkable bird has 

 a snow-white plumage and a jetty black bill, which, as the 

 name implies, has a sheath or hood of a horny consistence 

 placed over the nostrils. The generic name, Cliionis, is 

 derived from the Greek word signifying snow. The black- 

 billed chionis measures about 15 inches in total. Little or 

 nothing is known of its habits in the wild state. 



THE OCEANIC GULLS. 



Family — Procellariidtv. 



Genus — Daption, D. capense. Cape Pigeon. 



Cape Pigeon. — There are a variety of birds, of which 

 this is one, that follow in the wake of vessels in their route 

 from England to Australia. They breed for the most part 

 on the rocky peaks of Tristan d'Acunha, and on Kergulen's 



