660 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
down with such success among the rounded white pebbles, which 
they closely resemble, that if once the eye is taken off them, it is 
a mere chance if they are again detected. Captain Reid noticed 
several small flocks of this bird on the beach outside Durban 
Harbour in August and December. Mr. Andersson gives the 
following account of the Plover in Damara Land: “ This species is 
very numerous at Walwich Bay, and at many intervening points of 
the coast between that locality and the Cape, but I do not recollect 
having seen it inland. It can hardly be said to go in flocks, although 
a considerable number of individuals may be found scattered over 
a small extent of beach in close proximity to each other. It runs 
along the sand with great swiftness; and, unless very hard pressed, 
it prefers making its escape by trusting to its legs rather than by 
taking wing; when it has not been previously disturbed it is easy of 
approach. It utters a low plaintive cry, and feeds on small sandflies 
and other minute insects, which it generally catches by running 
rapidly in pursuit of its prey. Its flesh is very palatable. This 
Plover breeds sparingly at Walwich Bay, scooping a small round 
hole in the sand, but without any lining. The female lays two eggs 
in the month of April or early in May ; these are of the usual Plover 
shape, but sometimes rather blunt at the smaller end; they are of a 
yellowish-brown colour, prettily variegated with numerous irregular 
spots and streaks of a dark liver-brown.’’ 
Above, cinereous-brown; the edges of the feathers rufescent ; 
forehead white; nuchal band faint rufous; lores black; below all 
white; wing-coverts brown, with white shafts; webs of inferior 
wing-feathers margined and tipped with white; four middle tail- 
feathers brown ; those at the side white. A specimen shot April 
29th, 1863, measured: length, 7’; wing, 4’ 9”; tail, 24”. Irides 
brown ; bill black ; the base livid; legs and feet livid-blue. 
634. Aaraniris maticuLa* (L.). Common Ringed-Plover. 
Charadrius hiaticula, Layard, B. 8S. Afr. p. 298. 
This species is stated to have been procured at the Knysna by 
M. Victorin, and Mr. L, C. Layard shot a specimen in full plumage 
* We copy entire the descriptions of 4. hiaticula and 42. cantiana from 
Macgillivray’s work on the birds of Britain, in order that the two species 
may readily be distinguished from each other. We also use his excellent 
descriptions for such of our birds as belong to this class, as none can exceed 
them for clearness and accuracy. 
rier 
