270 BIRDS OF DAMAllA LAND. 



points of the mandibles, which are horn-coloured ; the 

 legs are bright red, but the toes are tinged with dark 

 purple on their upper surface. 



315. Squatarola varia (Linn.). Grey Plover. 



Squatarola cinvrca, Gould's Birds of Europe, pi. 290. 

 tScjuatarola helvetica, Strickland & Sclater, Birds Damar., Coutr. Orn. 

 1852, p. 1.58. 

 „ „ Layard's Cat. No. 562. 



Tritiga squatarola, Chapman's Travels in S. Afi'., App. p. 416. 

 Charadrms varius, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, p. 644. 

 Squatarola helvetica, Sharpe & Dresser's Birds of Eiu-ope, pi. 4(>. 

 fig. 2 & pi. 49. fig. 2. 



This Plover is rarely seen inland in Damara or Great 

 Namaqua Land, but is very common on the coast. It is 

 found singly or in small flocks, searching for its food 

 (which consists of small Crustacea, insects, and worms) 

 where the tide has receded, and sometimes wading in 

 the water up to its belly. It runs with very great 

 rapidity, and is of a wary and suspicious disposition, 

 becoming extremely difficult to obtain if at all pursued. 

 Its flesh is palatable. 



This species takes its departure on the approach of 

 the breeding-season ; and I have never seen it in such 

 dark plumage as it is represented as attaining in Europe 

 at that season. The iris is dark brown, the bill, legs, 

 and toes bluish black. 



Measurements of a female : — 



in. lin. 



Entire length 10 10 



Length of folded wing 7 5 



„ tarsus 1 10 



,, middle toe 1 .3 



„ tail 3 



bill 15 



