BIRDS OF ICELAND 85 



Squatarola helvetica (Linn.). 

 Grey Plover. 



Native name : none. 



A rare straggler in late autumn. Two specimens 

 are in the Museum at Reykjavik — one, I believe, shot 

 by Herra P. Nielsen at Eyrarbakki on September 25, 

 1892, the other said to have been obtained near Reyk- 

 javik. One or two more have occurred, I believe, as 

 casual strays. This bird bears a general resemblance 

 to the last (this resemblance is greatest amongst the 

 young birds of both species), but may be easily dis- 

 tinguished on the wing, even at some distance, by the 

 black axillaries, which show very conspicuously in 

 flight (those of the Golden Plover are tvhite). The 

 adult Grey Plover has no golden spots on head, back, 

 or shoulders ; but the young birds are almost as golden- 

 spotted as those of the other species. In any state 

 of plumage the present species may be distinguished, in 

 the hand, by its longer bill, and by the fact that it has 

 a hind toe, the Golden Plover having none. Length 

 12 inches (young birds rather less), wing 8 inches. 



Vanellus vulgaris, Bechst. Lapwing. 



Native name : ' Vepja ' (the Danish ' Vibe,' and Norse 

 ' Vipa ') ; also ' Isakraka ' (' Ice-crow,' the point of 

 which is not obvious). 



A rare straggler, chiefly to the south-west, and 

 mostly in the autumn. As with the Coot, Grondal 



