694 BIRDS OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
barred with dusky. Length, 17’; wing, 9" 9”; tail, 4”; bill, 
billAsans 
Fig. Dresser, B. Eur. viii, pl. 561. 
Fam. DROMADIDZ. 
668. Dromas arpnota, Payk. Crab-Plover. 
This curious bird frequents the whole of the east coast of Africa 
as low down as Natal; but its favourite localities are sand-banks 
far out to sea. It feeds on small crustaceans, which it collects 
while walking. We never saw it take its prey on the wing. It runs 
with considerable swiftness. Mr. Ayres procured a specimen in 
Natal, and says that it was the only one that he saw. He killed it 
early one morning on the sea-shore, and in appearance it much 
resembled a long-legged Plover, taking wing immediately on his 
appearance, so that he had no time to observe its movements. 
General colour, white, with a black patch between the wings; 
wing-feathers black ; head more or less mottled with black; some-. 
times a grey tint on the back and shoulders; bill black, very 
strong ; legs long, black ; feet semipalmated. Length, 1” 3’”; wing, 
Series | re 
_ Fig. Temm. Pl. Col. 362. 
