658 BIRDS OF INDIA. 



This remarkable genus is composed, as at present known, of 

 a single species found on the shores of the Indian Ocean, Bay 

 of Bengal, Red Sea, &c. ; its situation is considered very 

 doubtful, and many different afhnities have been assigned to it. 

 Cuvier placed it next Anastomus, of which, says he, it has the 

 feet and contour. Gray very unfortunately, I consider, placed 

 it among the Scolopacidce, between Himantopus and the Tringat ; 

 and Blyth, from consideration of the young plumage, considered 

 it as allied to the Terns. I have for long thought its proper place 

 was not far from (Edicnemiis, among the Plovers, and I was glad 

 to find that Bonaparte placed it with the Oyster-catchers, which 

 this bird thus connects with the true Plovers, Blasius with great 

 judo-ment considered it to be an aberrant Esacus. It is among 

 the Plovers what Himantopus and R^curvirosty^a are among the 

 Longirost7'es. 



861. Dromas ardeola, Paykull. 



Blyth, Cat. 1627 — Ammoptila charadroides, apud Jerdon, 

 Cat. 372 — Erodia amphilensis, Stanley — Temm. PI. Col. 362 — 

 Salt, Travels in Abyssinia, pi. 31 — Jard. and Selby, 111. Orn. 

 pi. 157. 



The Crab-plover. 



J)escr. — Whole head, neck, wing-coverts, lengthened tertiaries, 

 scapulars, and lower parts, white; mantle, interscapular region, 

 greater wing-coverts and primaries black ; some of the tertiaries 

 and the tail reddish ashy, paling on the inner Avebs. 



Bill black; irides brown; legs plumbeous. Length 15 inches; 

 wing 8| ; tail nearly 3 ; bill 2^ ; tarsus 3f ; middle toe and claw If. 



This curious bird was first observed by Mr. Walter Elliot on the 

 West coast of India, and subsequently I found it on the East coast 

 near Nellore, far from rare at the mouths of rivers and along 

 back waters. It lives in small Hocks on the banks of the rivers 

 or sea shore, feeding, especially on the parts that have been left 

 bare by the tide, on small crabs and other Crustacea, and perhaps 

 also on shell fish. It doubtless breeds in this part of the country, 

 as I observed it during the hot weather, as Avell as at other times, 

 but I was not fortunate enough to find the nest. 



