DROMADINiE. 657 



plumage, the colors are not so pure and rich in tint as in the summer. 

 The young have the upper plumage and sides of the neck and 

 throat dark ashj-brown, the feathers edged paler, aud the lower 

 parts white. After the autumn moult the young are stated to be 

 more pronounced in their coloration ; and at the spring moult they 

 assume the adult plumage. 



The Turnstone is not a common bird in India, and chiefly 

 frequents the sea-coast and rocky beds of large rivers. I have 

 procured it above 200 miles inland, in the Deccan, on the edge of 

 a large tank, and more abundantly on the sea-coast near Madras ; 

 Mr. Blyth has frequently obtained it from the Calcutta Bazaar. 

 It is found throughout both Continents, chiefly on the sea-coast ; 

 it is said to lay on the sand or bare rock, well concealed under a 

 projecting stone or tuft in some cases, four rather large eggs. They 

 are pale greyish or greenish in color with large spots of grey and 

 brown. It is stated to feed chiefly on small shells, and various 

 insects; to live well in confinement in gardens, like Plovers, and to be 

 easily tamed. 



Bonaparte and Gray place next Strepsilas Aphriza, with two 

 species, Tringa borealis, and T. virgata of Latham ; and Plu- 

 vianellus socialis of Hombron. 



It is possible that Anarhynchus frontalis^ a remarkable bird from 

 the Oceanic regions may belong to this sub-family. 



Sub-fam. Dromadin^, Gray, (in part.) 

 Bill lengthened, compressed, smooth, barely grooved, very strono-, 

 with the culmen gently arching towards the tip which is pointed ; 

 lower mandible strongly angulated ; gonys long, commencing near 

 the chin; bill slightly descending at first from the chin; nostrils oval, 

 lateral, near the base, pervious ; wings long, equal to the tail, 1st 

 primary longest ; tail even, or barely rounded ; tarsus very long, as 

 also the bare portion of the tibia ; feet much webbed, especially the 

 outer and middle toe. Bonaparte makes this a separate family 

 Dromadidce, and places it between the Chionidce and Hcematopodidce. 



Gen. Dromas, Paykull. 

 Syn. Erodia, Stanley, after Latham. 



Char. — Those of the sub-family of which it is the only 

 representative. 



PART II. 4 o 



