290 BIRDS OF TUNISIA 



Casa Blanca and other parts of Marocco. Colonel Irby found it in 

 "countless thousands" on the dried mud at the lakes south of Larache, 

 and says that the eggs of the species are deposited in such locaHties 

 about the second week in May (Orn. Strs. Gib. p. 154). Mr. Meade- 

 Waldo met with the Pratincole breeding in large numbers between 

 Eabat and Fedulla, and describes its mode of nesting as similar to 

 that of the Peewit, the birds being found in odd pairs and not in 

 actual colonies, and usually selecting the fallow fields as nesting sites 

 {lUs, 1903, p. 198). 



In its habits the present species is said to resemble the Plovers to 

 a certain extent, but in many ways it is more like some of the Terns. 

 It is sociable and congregates in large numbers, particularly on 

 migration. Its flight, though light and graceful, is at the same time 

 rapid and powerful, and it can run swiftly. At times it is not at all 

 shy, and will circle round one without any signs of fear, and even feed 

 in one's presence, but at other times it is wild and unapproachable. 

 It utters a shrill cry or scream, and, should its nest be approached, is 

 very clamorous. Its food appears to be composed chiefly of insects, 

 and more particularly of coleoptera, which are often swallowed 

 whole. 



The eggs are deposited on dry mud or other bare ground, and are 

 two or three in number. Their colour is generally greyish-buff, 

 marbled with grey shell-marks and blotched and streaked with dark 

 brown surface-spots. Average measurements 28 X 23 mm. 



GLAREOLA MELANOPTERA, Nordmann. 



NORDMANN'S PEATINCOLE. 



Glareola melanoptera, Nordmann, Bull. Soc. Imp. des Nat. Moscou, ii, 

 p. 314, pi. ii (1842) ; Sharpe, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxiv, p. 57. 



Description. — Adult male, spring, from Marsala, Sicily. 



Differs from G. pratincola in having the axillaries and under wing-coverts 

 black instead of rufous, the upper parts generally rather darker, particularly 

 on the crown, forehead and lores ; tlie breast is also slightly darker, and the 

 secondaries are without white tips. 



Adult female similar to the male. 



