112 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



(1439) Charadrius fulvus (the Eastern Golden Plover). Migrant, 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 234 ; Legge, Birds 

 of Ceylon, p. 934. 



This Plover is, strictly speaking, a migrant, and arrives earlier 

 than any of the other birds which come to us for the winter. 

 I have seen them as early as September 3 in Colombo. The 

 plumage of these particular birds was then changing from the 

 breeding to the winter dress, the under parts being blotched black 

 and white. Frequently seen in large flocks on the racecourse, in 

 company with the two following Plovers. 



(1446) ^gialitis alexandrina (the Kentish Plover). Migrant. 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 240 ; Legge, Bh-ds 

 of Ceylon, p. 947. 



(1447) ^gialitis dubia (the Little Ringed Plover). Migrant. 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 241 ; Legge, Birds 

 of Ceylon, p. 952. 



Key to the Plovers. 



(a) Plumage above generally stone-gray ; breast 



black; wings black, with broad white 

 patch ;1 under parts black. Length about 

 12 in. . . . . . . C. gregaria. 



(b) Plumage above generally blackish-brown 



with golden yellow markings ; breast and 

 under parts white, with dark centres to 

 feathers. Length about 9 in. to 10 in. . . G. fulvus. 



(c) Plumage above generally ashy brown ; white 



ring round neck ; no black or brown band 



across breast. Length about 6 in. . . ^. alexandrina. 



(d) Plumage above generally brownish ; white 



ring round neck ; black or brown band 



across breast. Length about 6 in. . . ^. dubia. 



Sub-family Totanin^. 



(1460) Totanushypoleucus (the Common Sandpiper). Resident. 



Blandford, Fauna Br. Ind. (Birds), IV., p. 260 ; Legge, Birds 

 of Ceylon, p. 867. 



Common on the seashore and borders of the lake. Its shrill 

 piping note and peculiar flight close to the surface of the water, 

 *' holding its wings bent like a bow," proclaim its identity. When 

 it settles it wags the hinder part of its body like a Wagtail. The 

 plumage above is grayish-brown and the under parts a very pale 

 gray, almost white. 



