286 



PLOVERS. 



FROM Vanellus we reach the true Plovers, repre- 

 sented by the Grey and Golden Plovers of our own 

 country. The birds known under the above name, 

 in contradistinction to the true Charadrii or Dot- 

 terels, have been divided in their scientific arrange- 

 ment, and the presence or absence of a hind toe, has 

 been given much weight to as a generic character. 

 In both groups, we have so distinct and marked 

 an arrangement of colouring, that the common 

 observer, unaccustomed to scientific distinctions, 

 will at once separate them. The sexual change is 

 also to a certain extent different, and it is remark- 

 able, that in both (arranging by plumage and 

 marking), we have a species, which must, in either 

 case, be placed away from those resembling it; 

 the generic distinction resting alone on the pre- 

 sence or absence of the fourth toe, almost rudimen- 

 tary. We have now, however, ventured to draw 

 our characters, so as to allow the junction with it 

 of C. pluvialis and Virginianus. These three spe- 

 cies (including the Grey Plover) are closely allied 

 in habits, in the marking and colouring, and in 

 the dark state of their breeding plumage, occupy- 

 ing uniformly a great portion of the under surface 

 of the body. In their habits they are gregarious, 

 assembling often in vast flocks, while the others 

 more generally congregate only in parties of limited 

 numbers. 



