295 



DOTTERELS, 



FROM what we have considered as the true Plovers, 

 we pass to the genus Charadrius or Dotterel, all the 

 known species of which present a generic simi- 

 larity in colour and markings, differing from the 

 others in being unspotted, of shades of hair or grey- 

 ish-brown, the under parts generally crossed with 

 distinct bands of black or chestnut. In their habits 

 they are chiefly maritime, at the same time, a few 

 agree in this respect with the true plovers, in their 

 breeding in pretty inland localities. Their feet 

 are of a more decidedly cursorial structure ; but, 

 in one or two exceptions, they possess the hinder 

 toe. 



CHARADRIUS. Generic characters. Bill straight, 

 somewhat dilated at the base, and gradually 

 narrowed to the point, which is hard ad 

 slightly curved ; nasal groove large ; nostrils 

 linear and pierced in it; wings pointed, of 

 middle length, first quill longest ; legs of \ 

 middle length ; tibiae bare for a short space 

 above the tarsal joint ; toes short, formed for 

 running; hallux entirely wanting. 



Types, C. morinelluSj hiaticula, &c. Cosmopolite. 



Note. Partially gregarious in winter ; chiefly 

 maritime ; little seasonal change. The Squat- 

 arola cincta of " Orn. Illust." The form Ore- 

 opholus, and Mr. Gould's genus Erythrogonys, 

 will either enter as sub-genera here, or may 



