Mr. E. Newton's Second Visit to Madagascar. 455 



almost trodden on : in flight it resembles a Crake more than a 

 Quail ; and it may be remarked that the structure of the sternum 

 is somewhat Rail-like. 



In the male the iris is very light yellow*, beak bluish grey, 

 legs greyish brown, claws yellowish. 



57. .Glareola geoffroyi, Pucheran. 



" Veko-veko'' (so called from its cry). 



It was not until the 24th September that I met with the 

 Pratincoles. Previously to this time I had passed the spot to 

 the north of Tamatave, where Dr. Roch, in November of the 

 preceding year, had found them [antea, p. 169), without see- 

 ing one ; and my belief is that they had not then arrived on 

 this part of the coast. From their appearance when I saw them 

 near Hivondrona, the end of September, I have no doubt they 

 would shortly have bred. 



In the male the iris is brown, beak black, base vermilion, 

 claws reddish brown. 



58. Charadrius geoffroyi, Wagler. 



On the 9th September, one specimen from a flock of about a 

 dozen was killed by Mr. Maule on the sands between the village 

 of Hivondrona and the mouth of the river of the same name. 



59. Charadrius tenellus, Hartlaub. 



" Kiboranto " (" the little thing by the water"). 



Tolerably common near the mouth of the Hivondrona, and on 

 the sands near Foule Point. 



In a young male the iris was brown, beak black, legs yellowish. 

 In a female, apparently adult, the legs were lead-colour. 



60. Strepsilas interpres (Linnaeus). 



Seen on the sands at Hivondrona on the 9th September, and 

 on the sea-shore near Foule Point on the 16th. 



61. Ardea purpurea, Linnaeus. 

 " Langorovalafa/' 



Not uncommon, and tame. 



Iris yellow ; beak and cere greyish yellow ; upper mandible 

 dusky; legs in front dark brown, behind yellowish. 



* Dr. Roch says {antea, p. 169), " Iris black." He probably examined 

 a female. 



