72 PLUVIALIN^E, 



covered with hexagonal scales ; toes rather short, slender, the 

 outer two connected at the base by a web ; claws rather 

 short, compressed, slightly arched, obtuse. Wings long and 

 pointed, the inner secondaries much elongated ; tail short, 

 nearly even. 



1. Pluvialis Squatarola. Grey Plover. Bill rather 

 stout. A very diminutive hind toe. In winter, the upper 

 parts blackish-grey, spotted with white; the lower parts 

 greyish-white, streaked with greyish-brown ; axillar feathers 

 greyish-black. In summer, the upper parts black, spotted 

 with white ; the breast black. 



2. Pluvialis aurea. Golden Plover. Bill rather slender. 

 In winter, the upper parts brownish-black, spotted with 

 yellow ; the lower parts pale, variegated with brown, throat 

 and abdomen white, as are the axillar feathers. Jn summer, 

 the upper parts black, spotted with bright yellow ; fore neck 

 and breast black. 



3. Pluvialis Morinellus. Dotterel Plover. Bill slender. 

 Inner secondaries extremely elongated. The plumage vari- 

 ously coloured, but without spots. 



GENUS III. CHARADRIUS. RING-PLOVER. 



Bill generally much shorter than the head, rather slender, 

 straight, as broad as high, slightly compressed toward the 

 end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight for half 

 its length, then bulging, or arcuate, the tip rather obtuse ; 

 gape-line straight ; nasal groove about half the length of the 

 bill; nostrils small, linear, sub-basal, pervious. Legs of 

 moderate length, very slender ; tarsus covered with hexagonal 

 scales ; toes rather short, slender ; the outer two connected 

 at the base by a web ; claws rather short, compressed, slightly 

 arched, slender, rather acute. Wings very long, narrow, 

 pointed ; the inner secondaries tapering, extremely elon- 

 gated ; tail of moderate length, or long, rounded, the two 

 middle feathers somewhat pointed. 



1. Charadrius Hiaticida. Common Ring-Plover. Length 

 about eight inches ; bill half as long as the head ; wings and 

 tail of equal length. Upper parts greyish-brown ; two bands, 



