Family GLAREOLIDA. 
PRATINCOLE. Glareola pratincola (Linneus). 
Coloured Figures.—Gould, ‘ Birds of Great Britain,’ vol. iv, pl. 
46; Dresser, ‘Birds of eee vol. vii, pl. 513; Lilford, 
‘Coloured Figures,’ vol. v, pl. 5 
The Pratincole visits Southern Europe in summer, but 
can be regarded only as a rare wanderer to Britain during 
the spring and autumn migrations. It was first noted in 
1807, in Lancashire and Cumberland. Subsequently, it has 
been obtained in Norfolk, Essex, Lincolnshire, Cambridge- 
shire, Yorkshire ; 1t has visited Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, 
Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, and Breconshire 
(Saunders). 
Two examples have been procured in Scotland, one 
at Unst in the Shetlands, August 16th, 1812; the other 
at Montrose in Forfarshire, November 4th, 1899 (Harvie- 
Brown, Ann. Scot. Nat. Hist., 1900). This appears to be 
the most recent capture known. 
From Ireland there is but one record of its occurrence, 
viz., in co. Cork previous to 1844 (Ussher, ‘ Birds of Ireland,’ 
). 249). 
The Pratincole can be distinguished from other small 
shore-birds by its forked tail. In most wading-birds the 
middle feathers of the tail are longer than ‘the lateral 
ones. In the Pratincole this arrangement is reversed. 
Like its near allies the ils. the Pratincole can run 
rapidly ; when at rest it has the peculiar habit of jerking its 
tail up and down. 
Flight. —The wings are long and pointed, and well 
adapted for swift and “sustained flight ; Degland compares 
the aérial movements of this species ‘to those of the Swallow. 
Food.—This bird is mainly insectivorous ; it lives chiefly 
