(; (944 
(840) CURSORIUS COROMANDELICUS, Indian Courier-Plover. 
(841) RHINOPTILUS BITORQUATUS, Double banded-Plover. Both 
these birds are found in the plains. The latter species frequents 
foot of the hills. I saw numbers of them at Titalea in the Terai. 
They seem to be partial to bare rocky ground and seldom wander 
far from certain localities. In size about 10 inches. These birds 
introduce us to the true wading birds, with long tarsi; slender bills 
and short tails generally. The former species has Ist and 2nd quills 
(wing) longest ; the latter 2nd and 3rd. Fhinoptilus has a shorter 
and stronger bill ; feet short and outer toe webbed. These plovers 
live chiefly on bare open country. They run with ease and nota 
little speed in fits and starts, which characteristics make them 
differ in habits from the more phlegmatic waders. Courier-plovers, 
usually, associate in flocks and are oftener seen on lands broken up 
by the homely Indian plough. They feed chiefly on insects. None 
of these birds are found in the district. 
Famity GLAREOLID (Swallow-plovers). 
Commonly called Pratincoles. These birds have given trouble to 
fix their true position among the family groups. Some would have 
liked to have placed them among the Swallows, to which birds they 
bare a resemblance in formation of bill and the forked tail, also as 
they associate freely with these birds. Others would consider the 
place of Swallow-plovers among Night-hawks. Cuvier placed them 
among Grallatores. I merely mention these few facts, to give a 
general idea of these birds. However, they are hardly likely to be 
seen in Darjeeling or the district, unless a few stray birds, whilst 
on their northern journey to breed, stay to rest their wings. They 
are plentiful enough in the plains. Near big rivers they are seen 
skimming low, as a rule, over a wide expanse of water or sandy 
churs. Bill is short and arched ; gape wide ; wings long and pointed ; 
tail usually forked ; tarsus short ; hind toe small. Both species of 
Swallow-plovers are found in the Terai. 
(843) GLAREOLA LACTEA, Small Swallow-plover, has a shorter tail 
and more even. Unlike Large Swallow-Plovers, it migrates but 
little and breeds in the plains. Both species are plentiful at Titalea, 
Orientalis only in the cold weather as it passes over, in numbers and 
breeds, on high altitudes. Lactea is 63 inches ; plumage, / above, is 
b] 
