CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS. 657 
Africa in the early part of the century, it was generally distributed, 
but rare. 
Mr. Ayres has met with it once in Natal, where it was excessively 
rare in the parts in which he collected. Capt. Reid obtained one 
specimen at Colenso on the 20th of November in thick dwarf 
mimosa bush, to which it kept close. Mr. Ayres likewise procured 
asingle example in January on the banks of the Rhinoster River. 
It seems, however, to be more plentiful in South-Western Africa, 
for Mr. Andersson writes: “The Violet-winged Courser arrives in 
Damara Land in small flocks at the beginning of the rainy season. 
On their first arrival they keep exclusively to the bush, but later 
disperse themselves more over the open. The cause of their first 
seeking cover is explained by the circumstance of their reaching 
Damara Land in a moulting condition, or about to change their 
plumage, when of course the bush affords them a better chance of 
escape and concealment from their natural enemies. They are not 
particularly wild, yet often very difficult to obtain, as they stick to 
the cover with great tenacity, and when suddenly flushed the bird 
just darts behind the nearest bush or tree, when it alights and 
continues its flight by hard running, only using its wings in its 
utmost need. During the heat of the day they remain nearly 
stationary. This species feeds on insects of various kinds. The 
flesh is very dark-coloured but excellent eating.” 
Senor Anchieta has met with it at Capangombe and Humbe, 
where it is always found near the water-courses and marshes. 
Light brown above; front, throat, ramp, and body beneath, 
white ; quills black, tipped with shining violet ; breast pale brown, 
with a black band; “bill black, the base of the lower mandible 
crimson; gape scarlet; legs crimson-pink; toes blackish; iris 
dark brown ; eyelid thick and orange scarlet ” (Reid). Length, 10’; 
wing, 7’ 9”. 
Fig. Gray and Mitchell, Gen. B. in, pl. 143. 
639. CHARADRIUS PLUVIALIS, LD. Golden Plover. 
Dr. Hartlaub has given South Africa as a habitat of this species, 
and the late M. Jules Verreaux assured us that he had shot it at 
Zoetendals Vley during his residence at the Cape. It has been met 
with in Gaboon, but has not yet been recorded from Angola. We 
ourselves procured it at Lamo, on the east coast of Africa. 
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