CHAEADRIAVJE. 273 



Charadrius marginatus, Layard's Cat. No. 568. 

 Charadrim nivifrons. Chapman's Travel's in S. Afr., App. p. 415. 

 Charadrius marginatus, Finsch & Hartlaub's Vogel Ost-Afrika's, 

 p. 654. 



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, when pursued, by trusting to its legs 

 rather than by taking wing ; when it has not been pre- 

 viously disturbed it is easy of approach. It utters a 

 a low plaintive cry, and feeds on small sandflies and 

 other minute insects, which it generally catches by run- 

 ning 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. 



The iris is deep dark brown, the bill black, the legs 

 and toes bluish grey. 



[This Plover appears never to have been figured. The type 

 specimen of Mr. Strickland's Charadrius pallidus, which is now 



T 



