228 EUROPEAN OYSTER-CATCHER. 



AGIALITIS MELODUS CIRCUMCINCTUS. 

 Belted Piping Plover. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sub. Si'. Cii. Similar to the Piping Plover in every way excepting that the belt on neck is continuous 

 in front. This is an interior form described by Mr. Ridgway from specimen-; obtained at the head waters of 

 of the Platte in Nebraska in J\ily. I think this form quite within the range of individual variation of 

 eastern specimens as wholly belted Piping Plover are of not very unusual occurrence here in Massachusetts. 

 Althou'di the Piping Plover is abundant on Key West in winter, I never saw a specimen in the Bahamas. 



AGIALITIS HIATICULA. 



European Ring Neck. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. Ch. Size and general form about that of the American Ring Neck ; but there is no web between 

 the inner and middle toe, and that between outer and middle toe only reaches to the first joint of the latter. 

 Color. Head markings about as in A. semipalmatus but with spots of white on eyelids and the markings 

 are somewhat heavier. Underparts, pale brown. Primaries, dark brown, with the outer four or five with 

 white on the shafts ami marks for a space near the ends. There is more wdiite on the secondai'ies than in 

 A. semipoluatus, but the tail is similar. Young quite similar to those of A. semipalmatus, but readily 

 distinguished in all stages of plumage by the lack uf the webbings to the toes. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



This species, so abundant in the Old World, is not uncommon in Greenland and at Cumberland Sjund. 



VAiSlELLUS CRISTATUS. 

 Crested Lapwing, 



DESCRII'TION. 



Sp. Cii. Size rather large, legs long, tarsus longer than miildle toe and cl iw, a web Iwtween outer and 

 middle toes, and there is a small hind toe. Wings, long. Head crested, feathers two and three inches long 



Color. Adult male, top of head inclmling crest, thick line and large pat di on breast, glossy black. 

 Sides of head and neck, white mixed with gray on back of neck. Upper parts ii-ridescent green, becoming 

 violet purple and steel blue on wings. Upper and under tail covets, chesnut. Underparts not described, 

 white. Wings, blue black, white on base of primaries. Bill, black. Feet, red. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



This beauteous bird is readily distinguished by the crest and lustrous plum:ige described. It occurs ii> 

 Europe, but is accidental in Greenland. 



Note on Amekican Oyster-Catcher. This species occurs all winter on the Bahamas and may 

 possibly remain and breed, as I saw a specimen on Norman's Key as late as June 7, 1S84. 



HAEMATOPUS OSTRALEGUS. 

 European Oyster Catcher. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Sp. Ch. Smaller than the American Oyster Catcher, color similar, but the back is glossy black like 

 the head and neck, with no decided contrast between them. Eump and upper tail coverts white, not black, 

 as in II. palliatus. Length, IG.OO; bill, o.CKJ ; wing, 9.50; tail, 4.30; tarsus, 2.00. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



This species occurs in Europe, Asia and Africa, also in Greenland. 



