CHARADRIAD^!. 269 



Hoplopterus coronatus, Layard's Cat. No. 560. 

 CJiettusia coronata, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vb'gel Ost-Afrika's, 

 p. 636. 



This handsome species is widely diffused throughout 

 Damara and Great Namaqua Land, in the Lake-regions, 

 and on the river Okavango ; it was very plentiful at my 

 late residence at Objimbinque, where a flock or two 

 were generally to be found throughout the year ; and I 

 have no doubt that it breeds there, as I have found 

 young birds in almost every stage of plumage. It is 

 a gregarious species, not unusually associating in flocks 

 of from thirty to forty individuals, sometimes frequent- 

 ing the moist beds of periodical streams, but more often 

 haunting districts away from the water, and of the driest 

 and most arid character. I have often been charmed 

 with the presence of these birds in such localities, where 

 there was nothing else to break the monotony and the 

 dreariness of the desolate scene. 



The long stilt-like legs of this species enable it to run 

 with great celerity; and if pursued, it invariably trusts 

 to its legs for safety, and only takes to the wing as a last 

 alternative : but this is not from any want of power of 

 wing, for it flies well ; and its flight is very similar to that 

 of the European Lapwing. 



These Plovers fly by moonlight as well as by 

 day ; and when flapping about either by day or night, 

 they utter shrill cries which may be heard at a great 

 distance. 



The food of this species consists of insects ; and its 

 flesh is excellent eating. 



The iris is yellow ; the bill is bright red, except the 



