240 BROWN-BACKED PLOVER. 



tertials, and wing-covers, are of a uniform dark or 

 sepia brown, much more intense than in the gene- 

 rality of the species ; while on the rump this colour 

 becomes blackish, the greater quills are entirely of a 

 deep black, except two or three of the shortest, 

 which are tipt with white; the lesser quills are 

 nearly all pure white with a little black at their 

 base; the tail, although obtuse, is very slightly forked, 

 and with the covers, is pure white ; just before the 

 tips, however, a broad black bar crosses the centre 

 pair. 



The under plumage, from the chin (which is 

 white) to beyond the breast, is of a light sooty black, 

 deepening as it descends, and then abruptly ter- 

 minating at its darkest part, beyond which the rest 

 of the feathers are entirely pure white ; the bill and 

 legs are deep black, and the tail does not exceed 

 the length of the wings. 



Total length, 9 J inches; bill, base, ^ ; wings, 6| ; 

 tail, base, 3 ; depth of the fork, ^ ; tarsus, 2^% ; 

 naked space above the knee, l/^ ; middle toe and 

 claw, &. 



