BIRDS — CHARADRIDAE — AEQIALITIS. 



691 



southern regions, and visiting also other continents. It has been found occasionally in Europe, 

 and hears a very strong resemblance to a species of that continent, Charadrius pluvialis ; in fact, 

 so close is the similarity that the color of the axillary feathers is the most ready distinction for 

 recognition, white, in C. pluvialis ; ashy, C. virginicus. 



This species varies somewhat in the colors of its plumage, and it is rare to meet with speci- 

 mens, in tlie middle or southern States of this republic, in tlie full plumage of the nuptial season 

 or with the under parts pure black, though frequently spotted, and showing a tendency to that 

 color. It is of common occurrence throughout the United States. 



Lisl of specimens. 



AEGIALITIS, Boie. 



,3egiaiitis, Boie, Isis, 1822, 558. Type Charadrius hiaticula, L. 

 .iesiatiUs, Kadp, 1829. 



Ch. — Plumage more or less uniform, without spots. Neck and head generally with dark bands. Front of the legs with 

 plates arranged vertically, of which there are two or three in a transverse series. 



This genus, as far as North America is concerned, is distinguished from Charadrius by the 

 generally lighter color and greater uniformity of the plumage ; by the absence of continuous 

 black on the belly, and by the presence of dusky bands on the neck or head ; the size is smaller. 

 The tarsi, in most species, have the front plates larger and conspicuously different in this respect 

 from the posterior ones. 



