PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS 221 



(B. chalcopterus), has repeatedly been seen in the Pretoria 

 district of late. In May, 1920, I flushed several small 



Fig. 121. — Bronze wing Coursers (Crowned Lapwing on right). 



coveys of them from the old lands on the Sand Kiver. Its 

 chief characteristic, the beautiful metallic purplish spots at 

 the end of the flight feathers, is sufficient to distinguish it. 



PLOVERS AND LAPWINGS 



Only a few members of the Family Charadridae can, with 

 justice, be termed " ornaments of the \ 7 eld," the greater 

 number being water-loving birds which will be found in 

 another chapter. As they are of undoubted benefit to the 

 farmer, they are now protected by law. 



The Blacksmith Plover (Hoplopterus armatus) has the 

 fore part of the head, base of neck, sides of body, abdomen, 

 upper and under tail-coverts white ; wings grey ; rest of 

 plumage black. Length, 12 inches. 



It ranges from the Central Cape Province to the Zambesi. 

 It is seldom found far from water, frequenting the neighbour- 

 hood of swamps and vleis. In the Orange Free State it is 

 not uncommon near the dams and vleis, where its peculiar 

 metallic call (from which its trivial name is derived) may 

 often be heard during the day or on moonlight nights. 



