452 Mr. B. Alexander — An Ornithological 



the sandy stretches of a dricd-up river-bed or moist spots 

 where tlie grass is sliort and succulent. In such places :i 

 small party may regularly be observed towards evening fully 

 occupied in '^ drawing " worms. On August 1st we came 

 across^ on a piece of waste land, a pair that had evidently a 

 nest, judging by the anxiety displayed by the birds, the male 

 running to and fro at the top of its speed, that was l)roken 

 now and again by sharp halts, while tlie female feigned con- 

 tinually a broken leg, the bird looking inexpressibly comic 

 as it jolted along over the rough ground on one long leg. 



The flight of this species is strong and buoyant, \vith a 

 steady beat of wings. 



At dusk these Spur-winged Plovers become very noisy 

 with their plaintive "whits," while they are often to be 

 heard throughout a moonlight night calling fitfully one to 

 another, their cries at times seeming almost panic-stricken 

 in tone, as if they saw evil spirits walking abroad. 



Adult (Aug. 3, 1898, near Tete). Iris lemon-yellow; fore 

 part of bill black, basal half yellow ; lappets yellow, marked 

 at their bases on inner side wdth black ; legs and feet pale 

 green. In old males the bluish grey of the cheeks, sides of 

 face, and neck beconjcs considerably darker in colour. 



The southernmost range of this species is the Zambesi 

 river. 



246. LoBivAXELLus LATERALIS (Smith). 



Not common along the river, but now and again observed. 



247. HoPLOPTERUs sPECiosus (Lieht.). 



An uncommon migrant to the Zambesi. On November 22, 

 after a storm, a large party suddenly appeared near Zumbo. 

 We obtained two pairs. 



The note of this species, when flushed, is a sharp dis- 

 cordant " click, click," repeated several times. 



248. Charadrius pallidus Strickl. 



Well distributed, especially in the dry season (June to 

 December), when the river becomes in places a mass of sand- 

 banks. We found nests on several occasions, one containing 

 three eggs which were well incubated on Sept. 17th at 



