342 



PLOVERS. 



feed on insects, but arc expert in catching them in thp air. The eggs are 

 deposited in the midst of a tuft of rushes or other licrbagc. 



The typical form is — 



The Milky Pratincole {Glarcola laden), or small swallow-plover, an 

 Indian species very abundant, especially near larp^e rivers. Now and then 

 large parties are seen hawking over the plains and fields, but it prefers hunting 

 up and down the banks of rivers, over sandy churrs, and by large tanks. In 

 localities where tliey abound, vast parties may be seen every evening after 

 sunset taking their flight in a certain direction. 



Fig. 172. — The Milky Vit.iKiii^QQi.'E.ifilareola laciea). 



Sub-Family IV. 

 THE TRUE PLOVERS. CHARADRIIX.E. 



General Characteristics. — Bill more or less long and slender, the culmen depressed 

 at the base but vaulted at the lip, the sides compressed and grooved ; the nostrils 

 basal, linear, and placed in the groove of the upper mandible ; the wings long and 

 pointed; the tail moderace, broad, and generally even ; the tarsi usually long and 

 rather slender ; the toes sometimes three and sometimes four in number, the outer 

 toe longer than the inner, and more or less united at the base; the claws small, 

 compressed, and curved. 



The true Plovers are found in most parts of the world. They 

 are usually seen in small flocks in the neighbourhood of the sea- 



